she went thisaway!

meme, the fiveth

This is really meme, junior. A friend's children wanted to answer a bunch of questions, just like the 'big people' were doing. So Terry and I came up with this list of questions for the young (and the young at heart). If you're out of school, improvise!

1.  What grade are you in?
  Anniversary forty-two is coming up – 'nuf said.
2.  What is your favorite subject in school?
  Math and Science
3.  What subject do you dislike the most?
  Civics
4.  Do you know how to swim?
  Yes – finally learned my freshman year in college.
5.  Do you know how to skate?
  Yep, both roller and ice, but I'm out of practice. The roller skakes were the 'use a key to tighten them on your shoes' kind, and in my neighborhood, we skated on the brick paved streets!
6.  What kind of pet(s) do you have?
  Three tabby cats: Slippers (momma), Spunky (formerly little boy), and Ditto (formerly little girl)
7.  Have you ever dressed a pet in clothes?
  We tried to put 'gloves' (small leather pouches) on a cat one time to keep her from scratching the new kitten, but they didn't stay on any longer that it took Pooh to let both front paws fly.
8.  Do you take care of the pet(s)?
  Yep, if I don't, I get no peace.
9.  Do you play sports?
  Only the remote between stations with different sports/teams airing.
10.  Are you a member of any club(s) or organization(s)?
  The Reidsville (NC) Lions club.
11.  Have you ever been to a zoo?
  Yes, in Pittsburgh and NC.
12.  What is your favorite animal?
  Cats
13.  Do you use an umbrella when you go out in the rain?
  Only in a downpour, or if I need to walk a distance in the rain.
14.  Do you like to jump in water puddles?
  Yes, but since I started doing my own laundry, I stopped the jumping in.
15.  What chores do you have around the house?
  Those necessary to keeping the outside world thinking I'm relatively ok.
16.  If you are asked to do something, do you do it right away or do you need to be reminded?
  Depends on the circumstances and who is doing the asking.
17.  What is your favorite color?
  Blue, with green second – together they're dynamite.
18.  What is your favorite movie?
  M*A*S*H
19.  What is your favorite TV show?
  Currently, it's a tie between NCIS and Numb3rs.
20.  What is your favorite book?
  So many...
21.  Do you have a library card?
  Yes!
22.  Do you like to play board games?
  When I get the chance, which is very seldom. Monopoly, Scrabble and Parcheesi are favorites.
23.  What is your favorite fruit?
  Apples, with bananas in second place. If we're talking juices, it's orange, then grapefruit, with grape third.
24.  What is your favorite dessert?
  Chocolate mousse
25.  What is your favorite food?
  Roasted lamb
26.  What food don’t you like?
  Can't eat fish of any kind, and shrimp is the only shellfish I'll consume.
27.  Have you ever been camping?
  Yes, four times. It rained each time – soggy sleeping bags and wet tent floors are for hardier souls than I.
28.  What is your favorite song?
  The love theme from El Cid.
29.  Have you ever been to a farm?
  Yes.
30.  What kind of job would you like to have when you grow up?
  I'd like to be a lottery winner when I grow up!
31.  Who taught you to tie your shoelaces?
  I don't remember. My sister remembers our granddad teaching her, and since we tie our laces differently, I know it wasn't him.
32.  What is your favorite ride at an amusement park?
  The merry-go-round. It used to be the rollercoaster, but I can't ride them any more.
33.  What is the first thing you do when you get home from school?
  If I don't have to go back out, I get into my jammies.
34.  If you had $50, what would you spend it on?
  A book and a CD or DVD.
35.  When is your bedtime?
  A couple of hours after I wake up in my chair.
36.  What do you usually eat for breakfast?
  Oat bran with skim milk, and either orange or cran-grape juice.
37.  What time do you get up in the morning?
  When I wake, or the cats get hungry – whichever comes first.
38.  What is your favorite day of the week?
  Friday
39.  Can you do a somersault or cartwheel?
  I used to do somersaults, but never managed a cartwheel. The last somersault was probably over thirty years ago, though.
40.  Have you ever flown a kite?
  Yes, a few times, and not very sucessfully.
41.  Do you like plain Band-Aids or ones with lots of colors on them?
  Plain or clear.
42.  What did you dress up as last Halloween?
  An old woman – it didn't take much.  :-)
43.  What was the last gift you gave to someone?
  (With my sister) a fine leather belt to my brother.
44.  Where has a friend gone on vacation that you think you’d also like go?
  Alaska
45.  Which is better: sending cards to someone else or getting them?
  Sending cards. Actually, shopping for them and finding just the right one is best!
46.  What is an important thing you know you shouldn’t do?
  Gossip
47.  If you are going on a trip, what is the one thing you want to take with you?
  My own pillow.
48.  What is your favorite toy?
  My computer and the Internet.
49.  How many states have you lived in or visited?
  I think the total is thirty-nine.
50.  Did anyone help you answer these questions?
  Just me, myself and I.

meme, the fourth

Ran across this book meme a couple weeks ago and thought about posting it, and didn't. Now a friend, Woodstock,  has posted it to her blog and gotten me off my you know what...

1. One book that changed your life
There have been many 'oh yes' moments, but I can't point to one that I'm sure changed my life.

2. One book you have read more than once
Not something I usually do intentionally.

3. One book you would want on a desert island
The Way Things Work, Volume One

4. One book that made you laugh
Donna Moore's Go to Helena Handbasket, and any of Katy Munger's Casey Jones books.

5. One book that made you cry
Any book where an animal needs to be rescued.

6. One book you wish had been written
The next book Kate Ross or Barabara Seranella would have written.

7. One book you wish had never had been written
Mein Kampf

8. One book you are currently reading
Forcing Amaryllis, by Louise Ure

9. One book you have been meaning to read
I can grab any of a hundred off of my TBR pile to name here...

meme, the threeth

If you've got some time, let us know a bit about you. Just copy the questions to the comments and write your answers in.

[2/24, 11:40 pm EST, edit: as this list has popped up in other blogs, here is a bit more of its provenance:  Terry, a friend I used to work with, sent it to me, he got it from his mother, and she got it from...? When Terry read it through, he took out several 'worn out' questions and substituted some from a list several of us at work (when I was still there) had discussed toward the end of last year.]

1. What time do you get up in the morning?
  Usually before 7:00, or earlier if the cats can’t stave off their hunger pangs any longer.
2. Diamonds or Pearls?
  Pearls!
3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema?
  Happy Feet, with friends.
4. What is your favorite TV show?
  NCIS and Numb3rs
5. What do you normally have for breakfast?
  Cereal with skim milk, and juice
6. What is your middle name?
  Gardner
7. What is your favorite cuisine?
  Italian
8. What food do you most dislike?
  Fish I can’t eat, and mushrooms I don’t.
9. What is your favorite chip?
  Andy Capp's White Cheddar Cheese Steak Fries
10. What is your favorite CD at the moment?
  Going to Extremes by The Raleigh Ringers (handbells)
11. What kind of car do you drive?
  Buick Century
12. What is your favorite sandwich?
  Club with turkey and swiss at Mayberry in Reidsville, or chicken and cheese at Sandy’s in Elon.
13. Qualities I despise most in other people are…
  Being self-centered and/or stingy
14. What are your favorite clothes?
  Jeans, T/sweat shirt, tennies
15. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would it be?
  Iceland or New Zealand
16. What color are your eyes?
  Brown
17. What is your favorite brand of clothing?
  Whatever fits reasonably well and looks decent.
18. Where would you want to retire?
  To my computer to play, my chair to read, or my bed when I’m sleepy.
19. What is your favorite time of day?
  Sunrise.
20. Where were you born?
  Pittsburgh
21. What is your favorite sport to watch?
  Football
22. Sock Sock, Shoe Shoe or Sock Shoe, Sock Shoe?
  sock sock, shoe shoe
23. Cash, credit card or debit card?
  Debit card, then cash, credit card last.
24. Pepsi or Coke?
  Root beer
25. Cats or Dogs?
  Cats!
26. Are you a morning person or a night owl?
  Night owl
27. Pedicure or manicure?
  Massage
28. Do you prefer funny or mushy cards?
  Funny
29. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share with everyone?
  I haven’t hit the Lottery yet.
30. What did you want to be when you were little?
  An astronomer
31. What do you have in your trunk right now?
  There isn’t enough room to list everything – it’s my substitute garage.
32. What is your best childhood memory?
  Playing with my big box of blocks at my grandmother’s.
33. What are some of the different jobs you have had in your life?
  Office clerk, draftsman, cost estimator…
34. What is your favorite Holiday?
  Thanksgiving
35. What is your favorite dessert?
  Chocolate mousse
36. Where is your favorite get-away?
  My home.
37. Have you ever been to Africa?
  No
38. Glasses or Contacts?
  Glasses; can’t imagine wearing contacts.
39. Have you ever been toilet papering?
  No, but went spray painting once.
40. Have you ever been in a car accident?
  Yes
41. What is your favorite day of the week?
  Friday
42. What is your favorite restaurant?
  The Church Restaurant, Stratford, Ontario
43. Favorite flower?
  Peony
44. Favorite movies?
  Not horror!
45. Favorite Past time?
  Reading or the Internet
46. Favorite ice cream?
  There is only one flavor – chocolate.
47. Favorite fast food restaurant?
  Wendy’s
48. How many times did you fail your drivers test?
  None
49. From whom did you get your last email?
  Spammer -- $%^$#^
50. Sandals or tennis shoes?
  Tennis shoes
51. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card?
  Amazon.com
52. If the speed limit is 60, what is the fastest you normally drive?
  68/70
53. What is your bedtime?
  A couple of hours after I wake up in my chair.
54. Whose response to this are you most curious about?
  Whoever answers.
55. Last person you went to dinner with?
  My friend Judy, who had just turned in her retirement notice – and I thought we were just going to celebrate her birthday!
56. What are you listening to right now?
  My thoughts as I answer these questions.
57. What is your favorite color?
  Blue
58. How many tattoos do you have?
  Zero, but I've thought about it – but thinking is as far as it’ll ever go.
59. Smooth or crunch peanut butter?
  Smooth
60.  What is your favorite drink?
  Milk

a holiday season meme

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?
   Hot Chocolate (this question needs to be asked?)
2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?
   He puts them under the tree – Mrs. Claus picks the paper and the elves do the wrapping.
3. Colored or white lights on tree?
   Colored
(Tree answers are preferences, I don't put one up any longer. I stopped two years after taking in a stray cat who insisted on undecorating it.)
4. Do you hang mistletoe?
   No
5. When do you put up your decorations?
   About half way between Thanksgiving and Christmas
6. What is your favorite Holiday dish?
   Stuffing and gravy
7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child?
   One night I know I heard Santa and his sleigh on the roof!
8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?
   Don't remember
9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?
   No
10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree?
   Ornaments and tinsel
11. Snow?
   Yes, home usually has some.
12. Can you ice skate?
   Yes, but my skates and I are both rusty.
13. Do you remember your favorite gift?
   No
14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you?
   Getting together with family and friends.
15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert?
   Mincemeat pie
16. What is your favorite Holiday tradition?
   Carolling
17. What tops your tree?
   An angel
18. Which do you prefer Giving or Receiving?
   Giving.
19. What is your favorite Christmas Song?
   O Holy Night
(some favorite versions: Boys Choir of Harlem, Nat King Cole, Perry Como, Ella Fitzgerald, Oak Ridge Boys, Leontyne Price and Kate Smith)
20. Candy Canes?
   Hershey's chocolate mint
21. Do you feel Christmas is too commercialized?
   ABSOLUTELY

a 40 question meme

From Return of the Reluctant (Edward Champion), via The Memory Project (Laura Lippman)

1. Have you ever been searched by the cops?
   Stopped - yes; searched - no
2. Do you close your eyes on roller coasters?
   No, but I haven't ridden in decades, either
    (Kennywood: Jack Rabbit, Racer, Pippen/Thunderbolt)
3. When’s the last time you’ve been sledding?
   Can't remember; long, long ago
4. Would you rather sleep with someone else, or alone?
   Sleep much better alone
5. Do you believe in ghosts?
   Something more like an aura, but yes
6. Do you consider yourself creative?
   Not particularly
7. Do you think O.J. killed his wife?
   Yes, unfortunately
8. Jennifer Aniston or Angelina Jolie?
   Depends on the circumstance I guess
9. Do you stay friends with your ex’s?
   None to worry about so far
10. Do you know how to play poker?
   Sorta (guess that means I shouldn't play)
11. Have you ever been awake for 48 hours straight?
   Not yet. Made about 39 or 40 once though.
12. What’s your favorite commercial?
   The 'Mean' Joe Greene Coke one
13. What are you allergic to?
    Sulfa
14. If you’re driving in the middle of the night, and no one is around do you run red lights?
   Don't run them, but will stop, look both ways and then go through if no one's about
15. Do you have a secret that no one knows but you?
   Yes
16. Boston Red Sox or New York Yankees?
   Pittsburgh Steelers!
17. Have you ever been Ice Skating?
   Yes, but it's been a long time. Still have my skates, though
18. How often do you remember your dreams?
   Rarely, very rarely
19. When was the last time you laughed so hard you cried?
   The '90s sometime
20. Can you name 5 songs by The Beatles?
   Of course
21. What’s the one thing on your mind now?
   Beatles songs
22. Do you know who Ghetto-ass Barbie is?
   No
23. Do you always wear your seat belt?
   Yes, feel naked without it
24. What cell service do you use?
   Alltel
25. Do you like Sushi?
   Vegetable's ok, but not fish/seafood
26. Have you ever narrowly avoided a fatal accident?
   Yes
27. What do you wear to bed?
   What time of year is it?
28. Been caught stealing?
   No
29. What shoe size do you have?
   7½
30. Do you truly hate anyone?
   Dislike, but not hate
31. Classic Rock or Rap?
   Classical
32. If you could sleep with one famous person, who would it be?
   Ben Franklin, to see what all the fuss was about.
33. Favorite Song?
   Love Theme from El Cid (Billy Storm - Infinity)
34. Have you ever sang in front of the mirror?
   Sure
35. What food do you find disgusting?
   Chocolate covered fried bugs
36. Do you sing in the shower?
   I take baths
37. Did you ever play, “I’ll show you mine, if you show me yours”?
   Played strip poker a few times, but never got to the show-me part
38. Have you ever made fun of your friends behind their back?
   No, I haven't
39. Have you ever stood up for someone you hardly knew?
   Yes
40. Have you ever been punched in the face?
   No, but I've been slapped.