Christmas 2008

We had an amazing Christmas this year. We started celebrating on Dec 18 when Colt graduated from the police academy. I flew up to attend the graduation. It was really special. Colt's dad would have been so proud. Two of his dad's best friends were there to support him: Dale Elton and Jim Raburn. It was super chilly in Salt Lake but it was such a warm lovely time that it was easy to bear the snow.
Friday morning we loaded into Maggie's car and tried to head home early to beat the storm. We did beat the storm, but we really didn't get out of town early. . . That's another story that Maggie or Colt should tell. I was just a passenger in the back seat.
We spent the weekend at home in St George getting ready for Colt's Festivus party on the 23rd and doing the food shopping for the week's special dinners. On Saturday we went shopping . . . again. We slso wrapped a lot of last minute gifts, went to see "BOLT," and Colt went shooting with the Ence Cousins.
Colt and Maggie went to church on Sunday and then had the bad luck to go visit the grinches. This would have been a totally negative experience except that it gave us lots to laugh about over the next few days. That evening we had our family Christmas Eve dinner. It was just delicious. We were joined by Sari and Mike, Jamie and Addie, Abbie and Phoenix. It was just so much fun. After dinner there was a game of Apples to Apples while I tidied the kitchen and got the lemon sauce ready to go with the gingerbread.
On Monday I went to work. Colt and Maggie went skiing with the Ence kids and they had a wonderful time. I fixed corn chowder and they all ate and experienced the "Tim Tam Slam."
Tuesday and Wednesday were filled with Festivus and Maggie preparing her family's traditonal Swedish Christmas Eve dinner. We had a surprise guest join us. Maggie's brother Scott flew in on Christmas Eve and that really made it special for her. We were joined again my the same group from Sunday plus my niece Ciera. We ate later than we planned because Scott's plane was weather delayed and the little girls got pretty tired and hungry but we finished up in time for them to get to bed before Santa got to town.
Colt, Maggie and Scott went to Midnight Mass and Sparky and I waited for Santa. We all got to bed about 2:00 AM and Colt (Bless his heart) got us up at 6:00 AM. We had a really perfect day. Santa was more than generous and the gifts we gave each other were heartfelt and wonderful. Sparky was especially entertaining discovering his stocking. We went over to deliver gifts to the Ence's and Becca came to my house to get her gifts and play. She and Ciera arrived in time to eat turkey turnovers. A very important Christmas tradition in our family. Ciera didn't eat any of course because she doesn't eat meat, but Becca quite enjoyed hers.
The Wii was a lot of fun. Colt, Scott and Maggie stayed up playing Rock Band until after 2:00 AM.
For me it was probably the best Christmas ever. (This time for real Colt, not like your "Best Christmas ever in '06). It was a BB gun Christmas for me and that was ever so fun.
Friday we ran around and did some errands and went to Red Robin for a late lunch. Today we got the kids all loaded up to head north. Maggie's family is flying in from Pittsburgh for a family ski trip. Colt and Maggie are really looking forward to that. Before they left I got a cash course in Wii 101 so I can at least do something with it before they come back down and we took some family photos.

CHRISTMAS COOKIES AND OTHER STUFF

I have been trying to do my Christmas baking this week. It's not like I do a lot of baking, but I do like Christmas cookies so I have sifting and mixing and baking various kinds of cookies. I did some chocolate chip with some special Christmas chips first. I did them first because I went to see Colt and Maggie last week and Colt really likes chocolate chip cookies. I am not that thrilled with that particular cookie so it is one I can make and not be tempted by too much.
Oh, but next I did snickerdoodles. I have a really, really good snickerdoodle recipe and even though I made a double batch . . . they are almost gone. I took some of these to work and they didn't last until 10:00 AM whereas the chocolate chips batch lasted almost all day.
Saturday morning I discovered a really fun recipe. I don't remember what they are called, but the are a bit like shortbread and a bit like Mexican wedding cookies. They are tasty: covered with powdered sugar and they have the white baking chips with the Christmas swirls in them. Yummy and festive!
So I have three kinds of cookies made. I will still do some minty coconut cookies that we made for the first time last year, molasses cookies and, of course, sugar cookies. The sugar cookies don't keep as well so I think they will be a "Weekend Before Christmas" project.
And the other stuff: Now I don't make candy. I figure if God had meant for me to make candy, he wouldn't have invented See's. Their bordeaux pecan fudge is so much like my favorite of Nanny's fudges! And See's caramels. . .there is nothing better.
I'll make a Christmas pudding for our dinner next Sunday and I may make the rice or bread pudding we will have on Christmas Eve, but that's about it for the goodies I will bake.
The other stuff mentioned in the title??? Turkey Turnovers. That was my project today. Turkey turnovers are a Christmas Day tradition in our family. So dear family members who are worried about such things--Never fear. They are all done and safe in the freezer along with everything we need to make delicious gravy on Christmas Day.
Happy Holidays!

TURKEY DAY

Thanksgiving was really nice this year. Turkey Day is not really one of my favorite holidays but I really enjoyed it this year. Colt and Maggie were in Pittsburgh so there was only Sariann, Mike, Judy and I. Judy has been trekking from Price to Washington for the promise of butter tips and shopping for quite a few years now.

It rained most of the day but that was okay. I discovered that I have been wrong about the amount of work equation with the number of people served. For years I have been saying you cook all the same things so what difference does it make how many you serve. WRONG! It is way easier to cook for only a four people. The meal turned out really, really good. It may have been the best we ever had. I discovered a new way to serve sweet potatoes that does not require marshmellows and it was excellent. I am sure it will be an addition to our regular slate of dishes on Thanksgiving.

After I cleaned up, we started to "deck the halls." Mike had to haul in all the tubs from the big garage solo and he really missed Colt after about 10 trips. We got everything done though. Sariann did the Disneyland Main Street on top of the China Hutch; Judy did the Danbury Village, and Mike hung the garland. Perfect job for a tall guy. My niece Ciera joined us and decorated the tree in the kitchen and helped me with the living room stuff.
Nephew Brady had come over and put my outdoor lights up last Monday and I plugged them in as instructed Thursday morning so they would come on that evening, but as I was taking out garbage, I realized they were not on. Oh What shall I do???? So I sent Brady and text and faster than a speeding bullet, super hero that he is, he and Carson were there to set things right. My lights are really cool this year. Come and check them out!

Judy decided to brave the crowds at the outlet mall and so I was alone and I mopped the floors and put the Spode in the China Hutch. Then I went to bed and watched "The Christmas Story."

The rest of the weekend was pretty low key. Judy and I shopped a little each day and we found some really fun stuff. Becca came over and we had a mini birthday celebration for her 6th birthday which is on Monday.

On Sunday Judy headed home and I put up the Christmas tree and puts bows and ribbons on the gifts so I could put them under the tree. Then I watched football and took a couple of naps. What a great Sunday!

Thanksgiving

It has really come home to me of late that I am every so thankful my son had the good sense to marry Maggie.  Ever since Colt was a little boy people have been telling me what he would and would not do and besides telling me he would get to old to want to go to Disneyland with me (As if--now I have both Colt and Maggie packed and ready to go if I even hint at a trip) and that it would be terrible when he got married.

Well, as usual "they" were wrong.  I always felt that since I never outgrew Disneyland and all that it stands for, that Colt probably wouldn't either.  I was right about that one.

I also was pretty sure that anyone Colt would fall in love with would have to be someone I would fall in love with too.  I was right about that one.

I was with my Red Hat group in Las Vegas on Sunday and as we were showing off our purchases, one of them commented that I really hadn't lost a son, but gained a daughter.  I got me thinking how really true that is.  I hear my friends moan and groan about son and daughters in law and I feel so blessed.  (Of course I always take credit for raising a practically perfect son who just would not make stupid marital decisions.)  

I love Maggie!  She took her first trip to Disneyland with me while Colt was in Washington DC and she felt the magic.  It was such a treat to introduce her to that very important part of our world.

Maggie loves Drag Queens.  We share that obsession and I even share my very own Drag Queen with her.  

I collect "gays," and Maggie is building her own collection too.

Maggie loves books and concerts.  We turned her into a Parrothead a year ago and she figured out right away that while shopping in Margaritaville, I will purchase about anything you throw on the pile. . .even if I am not drinking.

Probably my only concern with Maggie and Colt is that I thought it was a terrible move to give him a deadline to get married.  They had dated more that three years, but I was really concerned that Colt would someday resent being given an ultimatum.  I was wrong.  He probably never would have pulled the trigger.  As I realized this, I knew that Maggie probably knew him well enough to "handle him."

Anyway, besides my friends, my dog, Disneyland, Elton John, tequila, rock n roll, and green tea, I am thankful for Maggie.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MICKEY

My very good friend, Mickey Mouse, celebrated his 80th birthday on Nov 18, 2008. Since I was unable to trek to Disneyland to celebrate with him, we had a party at the Washington City Utility Office! We all wore ears and Disney shirts and even had a birthday cake.

Cari's husband, Jason, is quite an artist so he made Mickey a very special one of a kind birthday card that we all signed and I sent off to MM.

The citizens who came into the office quite enjoyed the ears and many were amazed that Mickey was 80! The mouse has aged well.

Christmas Present to Myself

I always give myself a nice Christmas gift. Not that my son, my family, and friends don't give me good gifts, I just think I deserve a gift from myself. This year I hadn't really come up with anything I wanted to get for me and I am trying to save money to take Colt and Maggie to Disney World this summer, so I was thinking I would just skip myself this year. Until. . . On the Monday before Veteran's Day, I called to see if I could get my carpets and upholstery cleaned on Vet's Day while I was home. As I was telling Stanley Steemer which areas I had to be cleaned, I just felt sick tomy stomach about having the burber carpet in my tv room cleaned again. Burber carpet is the work of the devil. I'd have it cleaned and it would look beautiful and two weeks later is was disgusting again. I began to ponder.
After pondering a bit I called Colt to run my idea past him: let's pull out the devil's carpeting and put in a laminate wood flooring. Colt agreed this was an excellent idea and said to call Mike and Sari because that is what they did at the salon and they could do it for me. So I put in a call and not only did they not hesitate to offer to do it, they also suggested we paint the room while we had the carpet out.
They said they would be over on Sunday to do it. . .all of it in one day. I had my doubts about that but went to Home Depot and brought home flooring and paint samples. After making my decision, I went back and got the flooring and the paint.
Sure enough Sunday morning--only two hours after they said they would be here--we started the project.

My "new" room is awesome and sure enough we got it done in one, very long, day. Thanks to Sariann and Mike for giving up their one day a week off and doing this for me. I LOVE IT!
They also posted a blog about the project if you want to check that out: http://mikeandsari.blogspot.com/

PS - If you have a painting project, call Mike. He doesn't need a ladder to do the ceiling.

He's Baaack

My oldest nephew, Elder Brady, returned from his mission in North Carolina last week. Brady is my "project buddy" and a true carrier of the Sims Gene. If you don't know what that is, I can't explain it to you. It was great to see him.

He's actually been around in paper form since Colt announced his engagement. Brady didn't want to miss any of the excitement surrounding Colt and Maggie's wedding so I had a life sized cardboard cut out of him made to attend all the wedding functions.

Then we decided that Brady needed to attend all important birthday, Easter, and Holiday celebrations. He was also included in most "projects" that took place while he was away. My great niece Becca doesn't really remember that real Brady, but she always made sure her "Paper Cousin" was in the photos.

It was great to chat with Brady after his homecoming on Sunday. He is more mature and a much better public speaker than when he left, but I'm sure he will still get excited about projects that require multiple trips to Home Depot!

HALLOWEEN

What fun Halloween is! At least it's fun if you get to dress up and act a fool all day at work. Halloween is one of the days you are glad you get to go to work. I mean what fun is Halloween if you just sit home all day. Come to think of it, what fun is any day if you just sit at home. . .

Anyway, Halloween at the Washington City Offices was a blast. We had a great potluck. Jamie brought in a crock pot full of Mexican Chowder. Cari bought these most excellent and fun to look at pumpkin bread bowls; Cristy brought a veggie tray; Kevin brought the Dr Pepper. For some reason three people in the Utility Office are DP Addicts! Shelly and I brought some dessert and I also brought Diet Coke so Cristy and I would not join the ranks of the Pepper addicts.

Elton's Still Standing. Jimmy's Still Here. I'm Still Loving It All!

What a most enjoyable weekend the end of October brought! On Oct 24, my friend Cindi, my daughter in law Maggie and I attended Elton John's Red Piano at Caesar's Palace. It was amazing. This was my 12th time seeing Elton John perform live and he is truly getting better all the time. (I know that's a Beatles' line, but whatever.) His voice sounded the best I've ever heard it and the staging was amazing. A little too amazing sometimes. It was hard to concentrate on Elton with all that was going on.
I hear there are only two engagements left when this one is over. Do not miss it. Do whatever you have to do to get there. It is ever so worth it.

After spending the night in "affordable luxury" at the South Pointe, Cindi, Maggie and I ventured down to Margaritaville to attend the street party, do a little shopping at Smuggler's Cove, eat some cheeseburgers (in paradise), and get tuned up for the Buffett concert that night. The street party was fun, but it really belongs on a beach or at least a lawn. It was great fun though and I am sure Cindi picked up many, many new ideas for hats

Colt had to miss Elton and fly down from Salt Lake just in time to go to the Jimmy Buffett concert at the MGM Grand Arena. He was a little bitter about it, but made the best of the situation and flew down in full Elvis garb and personality. He was very popular with the flight crew and they made a much bigger fuss over him than Vince Vaughn who was also on the flight. Yeah, he was in heaven getting all that attention.

My "other son/sort of nephew" Brad and his wonderful wife Mandi (we are all SO thankful Brad found Mandi) drove in from Southern California to join us. Brad made his own Elvis costume so he and Colt were "ELVI" together. Mandi dressed as a sailor and Maggie was a pirate. Cindi made great hats for us to wear so we were only somewhat upstaged by the kids.


I had taken Colt, Brad and Maggie to Buffett concerts before, but this was a new experience for Mandi and Cindi. They got right into though and are now totally hooked on Parrothead Madness. There really is nothing like a Jimmy Buffett concert. You find all ages there. Grown people dressed as salt shakers, sharks, boats and hula dancers. Not to mention people wearing blenders on their heads. The whole audience was on their feet from the first strains of "Piece of Work" to the final encore. Everyone sang along and danced with no thought at all of making a fool of themself. It just doesn't get any better!



After the show we headed to Johnny Rockets. This seems to be our late night eating spot in Vegas these days. At least it is since Colt discovered apple pie with melted cheddar cheese on top. Then it was back to affordable luxury for a little sleep.



Sunday morning we had a bit of a problem finding some breakfast food. We did locate some at the Cheesecake Factory. I highly recommend it as a breakfast spot. Then we headed back to our real lives.

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I can hardly wait until next year.

Redneck Roosters

The Dixie Ladies of Elks Past Presidents are always on the lookout for a good fund raising idea. A few years ago we convinced the successful Dippy Chicks to let us publish a calendar featuring them. It was a best seller.

Last Sunday we did the photo shoot for a new project: The Redneck Roosters calendar.

What does Toby like about Utah?

On September 2oth, I went to Salt Lake to take Colt and Maggie to a Toby Keith concert. Now Colt and I love Toby (He is a registered Democrat you know), and Maggie just plain likes concerts she doesn't have to sit down and shut up for, so it was bound to be a great night! We had amazing seats; Maggie had her new western attire; and the opening act was Montgomery Gentry.

What we didn't know is that it was the last night of the US tour and there was a bit of celebrating on stage. Dare I say it got a little drunk on stage? I guess I do. It got a little drunk on stage. It was great. Toby put on an amazing performance and I gained a new appreciation for Montgomery Gentry.

Best of all we learned what Toby likes about Utah! He can get a Wienerschnitzel chili cheese dog here.

LABOR DAY WEEKEND

Colt and Maggie were able to come to visit over the Labor Day weekend. I have been so lucky this Fresh Peach Pie season. For those uninformed few, Croshaw's Fresh Peach Pie is the best thing ever. It truly is angels on your tongue. You can only get them a few weeks a year and they are in very limited supply. You have to call Croshaw's at 9:00 AM and pray that you get through and beg to have them reserve you a pie. This year I have been able to get one every single time I called. Labor Day was especially wonderful because we got TWO pies. That was sweet because Maggie snuck extra portions while I was napping.

Not that all we did was eat, but: We made peanut butter & jelly Monte Cristos. We were introduced to this wonderful treat at Disneyland last year. We could hardly wait to eat them again this year. When we arrived we learned that they are no longer on the menu. We were so sad, but resourceful and decided we could make our own. We did that and did it perfectly. Colt also tried deep frying everything that wasn't nailed down in the kitchen too: Twinkies, Oreos, Snickers.

The highlight of the trip may have been Colt's haircut. He had the honor of having the first haircut done at his cousin Sariann's new salon, Sinful Pleasures.

AUGUST BIRTHDAYS

There are a lot of birthdays in August around our house. Since Maggie and Colt were still in town last Sunday we decided to go ahead and celebrate hers (August 22), Mike's (August 15) and mine (August 26). It was a pretty low key celebration. We just grilled up a wonderful dinner and then had cake and presents.

Aaaahh. . .the cake. I ordered the cake. I wrote down what I wanted written on it. CRAP! When I went to get it, my name was spelled wrong. I tried as hard as I could to be a good sport about it. Didn't work. I decided that Mike did not need or deserve a "E" so I stole his.

Margaritaville

Since we needed to take Jonny to Las Vegas for his flight back to Pittsburgh anyway. . . we went to Margaritaville. I had a bit of a relapse and whatever brain cramp hit my head in the Cayman's earlier this year, took control again (This time aided by a couple of Margaritas from the walk up bar) and I went a little crazy in the Smuggler's Hold. Maggie picked up on this quickly and added quite a few new treasures to my pile. It's a good thing Colt didn't get the spirit. He didn't get anything, but Jonny is now the proud owner of a Margaritaville shirt!

After shopping my little heart out, we head upstairs to eat. We order some beverages and appetizers. The guy waiting on us identifies himself as the manager and tells us not to order entrees. He assures us Volcano Nachos, Coconut Shrimp and Conch Fritters will fill us up and not to get anything else. Fooled him. We finished it and our entrees all off!

The "Magic"

We made a pilgrimage to the "Happiest Place on Earth" this month. It was truly one of the best trips ever! We took Maggie's 19 year-old brother, Jonny, with us for his very first trip to Disneyland. It was so much fun to see things again for the first time through his eyes. I even missed my power nap in the Enchanted Tiki Room because he was loving it so.

We drove directly to Knotts Berry Farm when we hit Southern California and ate the best chicken dinner ever. Then we went into Knotts and rode all the crazy coasters there. It was ever so much fun in part because Brad (My adopted nephew/son) and his wife Mandi joined us. After a full day there we headed back to the Disneyland Hotel for a little rest before our Magic Morning in the Magic Kingdom. Bless Jonny's little 19 year-old heart, he didn't even complain about our insistence that we be in line at 6:30 to enter the Main Gates.

The new Toy Story Mania ride in DCA is everything it was hyped up to be. We rode it four times by using the single rider entrance. I never even came close to matching everyone else's score, but I was the most accurate all four tries. Another highlight at DCA was dinner at the Vinyard Room. It was wonderful but we were saddened to learn that it is closing at the end of August.

Jonny caught the spirit of being first in line by the end of the trip though. He and Maggie wiped out a few small children in order to be the first in line for Indy.

After promoting peanut butter and jelly Monte Cristos for a whole year, we were dismayed to learn they are off the menu at the Bleu Bayou. Never fear though. I bought Uncrustables and am going to figure out to make them myself!

It's Officially Ours !!!

Well, it's finally ours! Some of you are aware of the "big search" for a Kolob cabin. It has taken what seems like forever but we closed on the perfect property on Friday. The big hang up, and you know how I love my garages, was a garage and I finally found it.

Sparky was not crazy about the drive up but I gave him some "puppy calm" and he did okay. In fact, he thinks that Kolob birds are far superior to chase than Washington City birds.

The best thing of all is that it came with furnishings and appliances. Niece Sariann put up a bunch of straw flowers and I don't know if I can take that or not. It's a little too cutsy for me, so they may come down when she isn't looking!

I've got to round up some additional bedroom furniture but if you are good with an air mattress give me a call and come on up! Only MY bedroom has a bed right now.

It's a big adventure but I'm pretty excited. I wish we had taken photos of Mike trying to wash the windows with my litte 10' ladder. Now that was a show!

So if you want to escape the summer heat, come on up to my Margaritaville annex on Kolob Mountain. Parrotheads only need apply for admittance!

ST SOMEWHERE

In the immortal words of the poet (Jimmy Buffett), "I gotta fly to St Somewhere." It's pretty warm here in Utah's Dixie so that is not a problem at all!

The Dixie Ladies of Elks were having their annual International Night. It's one of my favorite events of the year. Virginia and I always do a booth and we like to be creative in our locals as well as use a minimum amount of labor in preparing our food. This year we got aced out of doing the food and theme we wanted by Elda! So we punted. We decided to do fruit kabobs and a yogart dip. The suggestion was made that we do "Hawaii." How boring is that?? So I decided we would do St Somewhere!

Niece Sariann made us a great sign and we decorated with all my Margaritaville party stuff. We bought the fruit already cut up and we were on our way.

The fruit was a HUGE hit. We got just the right amount and my niece and her daughter Becca are enjoying the containers of yogart we had left!

July 4th 2008

I love holidays! I love to decorate for them and have people over to celebrate. It is one of my most favorite things. July 4th was great this year. Colt and Maggie arrived Thursday night and got here in time to play with Sparky a bit.


On Friday, Colt and Maggie took Sparky for a long run and after a delightful breakfast on the patio, we went to Kohl's to get Colt something star spangled to wear. We found that and several more things for both Colt and Maggie. I even got a couple of shirts and some jewelry. We had time for a nap before our guests arrived. At least Maggie and I did. Colt mostly tried to defrag my computer.



We had a lot of friends over to swim and have BBQ. It was an All-American menu-hot dogs and hamburgers. Everyone really enjoyed the pool. Even Sparky.

We had a lot of kids and their parents and grandparents enjoying the pool and even had one baby have her first swimming pool experience. Ciera did great and loved it!

A highlight for Colt and Maggie is that their friend Brian took them over to the fireworks in St George and they had VIP seating. They were so close to the fireworks that one of the people in their party was singed by an ember! That is pretty close.
I stayed home with Sparky but he did great and was only afraid of the explosions for a minute.
Saturday we did more shopping. . .even though I told Maggie that I wasn't going to buy her another new wardrobe, I think I did. We went to TJ Maxx and Target and got her some great stuff for work. While at Target, Colt told us a big fat lie! Never believe Colt if he tells you he tried something on; make him show you.
We also got an external drive for my computer so Colt could defrag it.
Sunday was fairly lazy. In a moment of madness I had promised Colt RayBans if he stayed in the pool for an additional 15 minutes. What the %$#* was I thinking? We went to the Sunglass Hut or whatever it is called and went absolutely nuts. I love RayBan Wayfarer's and bought myself four pairs-tortouise shell, white, pink, and a camo thing. Colt got two pairs and we discovered that we got a free pair for every $100 spent. So Maggie got four free pairs and Colt got two. We all left with four new pairs of sunglasses. We will be looking good in Disneyland.
Since we were right there, we popped into Eddie Bauer---Yet another big mistake. Except we all got some really good stuff for our Disneyland trip that was on a super sale.
So I love holidays. I discovered that I don't even have to have extended family around to enjoy them. So thanks to all our friends who make this Independence Day so special!

100 Questions? You've got to be kidding me!

1) Are you really ready for 100 questions?

Probably not. I doubt I'll last to the end.

2) Was your last meal a mistake?

It was Hebrew National Hot Dogs, so of course not!

3) Do you believe in God?

Yes

4) Who did you last say "I love you to?

Sparky the Dog. How pathetic is my life?

5) Do you regret it?

No, Sparky loves me too.

6) Have you ever been depressed?

Oh yeah

7) Have a best friend?

I have a lot of "best friends."

8) Are you a dude or chick?

Chick.

9) What is your relationship status?

Single, and not looking to change that!

10) How do you want to die?

Quickly

11) What did you last eat?

Hebrew National Hot Dogs; I just told you that.

12) Play any sports?

Does throwing a ball and chasing Sparky count?

13) When was your last physical fight?

I don't think I ever had one.

14) Tom from MySpace is about to go to jail, what’s your first thought?

It's about time.

15) Do you have an attitude?

I have changes in attitude, changes in latitude.

16) Ever been in love?

Does Sparky count? j/k Yes, I've been in love

17) What is your real name?

Joleene

18) Like reading?

Yes, I am reading "The Great Bridge" by David McCullough now.

19) Are you gonna get high later?

Nope

20) Do you hate anyone at the moment?

Oh yeah.

21) Do you miss someone?

Yes.

22) Twirl or cut your spaghetti?

Cut

23) Who is your best friend's uncle's cousin girlfriend's daughter's boyfriend?

How the f*** do I know?

24) Do you tan a lot?

Not a lot, but I have a pool in my yard so I get somewhat tan.

25) Have any pets?

Duh!
Sparky

26) How exactly are you feeling?

I am kinda sick of these questions

27) Ever ate food in a car while someone or your self is driving?

Yeah, why do you want to know that?

28) Have you ever started a rumor?

Sure, I may start one later today.

29) Favorite place to vacation?

DISNEYLAND! There is nothing better than being in "the magic!"

30) Are Barbie & Ken bad influences on people?

No they are excellent role models for the youth of America today.

31) Do you regret anything from your past?

Yes

32) What are your political views?

Democratic

33) Do you want to have kids?

I have a practically perfect son

34) Ever kissed somebody that name start with a N?

My Nanny? Does that count?

35) Do you type fast?

Not really

36) Do you have piercings?

Just my ears

37) Want any more?

Nope

38) Can you spell well?

Better than most

39) Do you miss your past?

That doesn't make any sense. If it's MY past don't I still have it?

40) What are you craving right now?

Nothing really. Those Hebrew National Hot Dogs hit the spot

50) What should you be doing?

I don't know but probably something more constuctive that this. I can't believe I am only half way through this thing.

53) Does somebody love you?

Duh! Sparky.

54) What is your favorite color?

Purple

55) So are you liking this survey?

No, I can't figure why I am still dong it. Am I that bored?

56) Do you have a crush?

No

57) Do you have trust issues?

I don't trust anyone. Is that an issue?

60) Do you have a good relationship with your parents?

Well they are both dead so that makes conflict rather difficult at this point, but I did when they were alive.

61) Are you secretly in love?

No

62) Do you believe your ex thinks about you?

No

64) Have you ever betrayed by a best friend?

No but I have been by a sister. That's worse, don't you think?

65) Is it too personal now?

If I am stupid enough to answer this crap on the world wide web, I'd be pretty stupid to admit it's too personal.

66) Why are your answering these questions?

That is what I would like to know.

67) Should this survey stop?

Is there a way to do that?

68) Have you ever walked outside completely naked?

Not that I recall.

69) Do you think your a good person?

Yes.

70) Do you believe everything happens for a reason?

Yes.

71) Do you take showers?

Yes

72) Last time you had a nice bubble bath?

At least more than a year ago

73) What is bothering you?

Don't you mean WHO is bothering me? That I could go on about for pages and pages. . .

74) Have you ever done anything rebellious?

Duh! I grew up in the 60's and 70's.

75) Do you play the Wii?

No

76) How do you feel about Wal-Mart?

Where else can you find such a wide variety of merchandise at a fair price?

78) Who has inspired you the most?

Wow, lots of folks. My dad, my mom, lots of teachers, fake Jimmy Buffett

79) What is your favorite quote?

I'll have to think about that and get back to you. I have a lot of favorites.

80) Are you excited you're almost done with this survey?

Why the HELL am I still doing it? That's the question

81) Are you mean?

No, just firm

82) Can you keep white shoes clean?

No, do I look like a freakin' nurse to you?

83) Have you noticed this survey stopped getting personal?

No I am just mindlessly going through it.

84) Do you believe in true love?

Yes

85) Are you proud of the person you've become?

Yes

86) Do you wanna change?

I could do with a few changes on the outside.

87) Who was the last person to make you mad?

Same sister referenced above

88) Do you like the outside?

I do. I find that as I get older it is harder and harder to stay inside. I want to be outside all the time even when it's too hot.

89) Are you currently bored?

I must be; I'm still answering these questions

90) Do you want to get married?

No

91) Ever fail a class?

No

92) Are you hungry?

Remember the Hebrew National Hot Dogs?

93) Do you have a bank account?

Yes

94) What makes you happy?

Lots and lots of things: my son and daughter in law,Sparky, my nephews and nieces, my friends, tequila, rock n roll, Mickey Mouse . . .

95) Would you change your name?

I am not crazy about being "Mrs Smith"

97) Are you paranoid?

Do I have reason to be? What are you saying? Have you heard something?

98) Do you watch the news?

Yes, but the Daily Show is what puts it all together for me in a form I can understand

99) What is your zodiac sign?

Virgo

100) Do you like subway?

The sandwich place? It's okay I guess.

WEEKENDS

Aren't weekends wonderful things? I love them. In the fall and winter you get to spend the weekends watching football and in the spring and summer you get to spend the weekend outside.
My weekend begins like this: Friday night-no need to set the alarm. How sweet is that? I still wake up and 6:00 AM but it is ever so delightful to roll over and go back to sleep. When I drag myself out a couple of hours later, I make a pot of green tea, get the newspaper and go to the patio. I read the paper, enjoy the morning and play with Sparky the world's most perfect English Springer Spaniel and drink my tea. Then I prepare a nice breakfast and take that to the patio with my book. Right now I am reading David McCullough's The Great Bridge. Sparky always gets an egg mixed in with his Science Diet breakfast on the weekends, so he quite enjoys this ritual too.
I have a little laundry to do and probably should do some housework, but instead I go to the swimming pool. Float around and listen to Jimmy Buffett.
It seems I am having a lot of company these days. This weekend a friend is visiting and Sunday night I am hosting movie night for two friends I work with. They think they are Jack and Karen from "Will & Grace" and so they are pretty entertaining without a movie! But we are going to watch "Hedwig and the Angry Inch." A movie with great music that my daughter in law Maggie introduced me to. It was one of the things we bonded over. I guess really it is just part of the bonding we did when we discovered our mutual love of Drag Queens. I have my own Drag Queen by the way.

Syren Vaughn is not only one of my favorite individuals in the world but also has an amazing voice. Yes, boys and girls, my Drag Queen can really sing. But more about that later.
Back to the weekend stuff, so I am having dinner guests tonight and going to a party in the afternoon before the movie tomorrow. This is going to cut into my napping time but I think I will get through it.