Friday's Feast...Finally

With as long as I have been away, I have only missed one Friday's Feast. There wasn't one for July 4th. That makes it easy to catch up!

Appetizer
When was the last time you had your hair cut/trimmed?

Professionally? Probably a little over a year ago. I cut it myself about a month ago by turning my head upside down and cutting off about an inch. That's one nice thing about having curly hair...you can't really tell if it's uneven!

Soup
Name one thing you miss about being a child.

No worries. It's tough to be a grown-up.

Salad
Pick one: butter, margarine, olive oil.

Since I'm related by blood to Mr. Butterton, I guess I better say butter so as not to shame the family. It's true, though. Margarine is somewhat of a scary substance and there is a time and a place for olive oil; however, nothing beats real butter.

Main Course
If you could learn another language, which one would you pick, and why?

Spanish. I'm going to forgo answering "why" in order to remain politically correct.

Dessert
Finish this sentence: In 5 years I expect to be…

Paul and I were just talking about that tonight. It's hard to answer that because one never knows what is going to happen from day to day; however, we are hopeful that in five years all our debt will be paid off, including the car we just bought, and we will be ready to sell the house and look for something new. That's the five-year plan...God willing. It's scary, but five years will be up before we know it.

Friday's Feast

Appetizer
What is the weather like today where you live?

Mostly cloudy. Right now it's 74, but the high was 86. There was a little bit of rain today, but the sun did peak through once in a while. It looks like there is supposed to be some storms tonight.

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

Maybe 3, but that's pushing it. While I have a strong work ethic, it's more important to me to be happy in a job than push my way to the top.

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

Curtains in the living room, vertical blinds over the back sliding glass door (which we are in desperate need of new ones) and horizontal blinds everywhere else.

Main Course
Name something that instantly cheers you up.

Singing along to a good song.

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

Two or three. Just don't ask me how long I just let it play (clock radio) and completely ignore it.

Friday's Feast

Appetizer
If you could live on another continent for 1 year, which one would you choose?

Europe. That would be an interesting year. There are so many countries to visit.

Soup
Which browser do you use to surf the Internet?

Mozilla Firefox both here and at work. I like it so much better than Internet Explorer.

Salad
On a scale of 1-10 (with 10 being highest), how much do you know about the history of your country?

History is not one of my best subjects. I'm starting to pay more attention to it now than I did in school, though. I guess I would place myself at a 4-5. I'm definitely not smarter than a fifth grader. I would love to visit Colonial Williamsburg. Maybe someday.

Main Course
Finish this sentence: Love is…

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.
--I Corinthians :13:4-8 (NIV)

It also makes me think of the comic strip that was big in the 70's. I seem to remember Deb having some "Love Is" artwork. I remember always being bothered by the fact that the poor boy and girl were naked. Apparently it's still around today.

Dessert
Have you ever been in or near a tornado?

No...thank God! Knock on wood and all that stuff! I've been on the Twister Ride at Universal Studios Florida. That's about as close as I want to get (and that ride is totally lame, by the way). When the tornado hit the apple orchard earlier this year, that just freaked me out...too close for comfort.

Friday's Feast

Appetizer
Do you consider yourself to be an optimist or a pessimist?

I'm really more of a realist. I guess my glass is half full, but in this day and age I figure the water in it is probably contaminated.

Soup
What is your favorite color of ink to write with?

Blue

Salad
How often do you get a manicure or pedicure? Do you do them yourself or go to a salon and pay for them?

I barely remember the last time I had a manicure. I keep toying with the idea of getting a pedicure, but I'm afraid to for a variety of reasons. 1) My feet are ticklish. 2) I'm too cheap. 3) Have you read the articles out there about the dangers of pedicures? I mean, exactly how sanitary is it? (See, I told you I'm a realist.) I do keep my toenails painted in the summertime because I'm always either barefoot or in sandals.

Main Course
Have you ever won anything online? If so, what was it?

Not online. Not that I can remember anyway...so if I did, it wasn't anything exciting.

Dessert
In which room in your house do you keep your home computer?

The desktop is in one of the spare bedrooms, which is our office/computer room/stamp area/scrapbook room. Paul uses the laptop in the living room.

Weekend Catch-Up

Appetizer
When you drink soda/pop/coke, do you prefer to drink it from the bottle, a can, or after pouring it into a cup?

After pouring it into a cup. I try to get as much of the fizz out of it as possible. Drinking it out of a can is the worst, and I prefer to let it sit for a little bit before I drink it. When drinking it out of a bottle, I tend to shake it up a little (then open it s-l-o-w-l-y). By the way, I call it "pop." Paul calls it "soda."

Soup
What television show are you willing to stay up late to watch?

We tend to stay up later to watch most shows these days because we tape most of them on the DVR and watch when we can...or after the show is over so we can fast-forward the commercials.

Salad
Name one person, place, or thing you think of as brilliant.

God's Paintbrush

Main Course
Would you be willing to work 4 10-hour days instead of 5 8-hour days in order to save gas?

Sure...but only if the fifth day was a Friday or a Monday so I could have a three-day weekend.

Dessert
If you were a superhero, what would you call yourself?

Mighty Monica...Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound and eat chocolate cake and Cheetoes without gaining a single pound. By day she's a mild mannered dog groomer, by night she avenges animal cruelty with the help of her sidekick Super Abby!

SIMPLE SATURDAY

Layout from Clean & Simple Stamping

SCRAPPIN' SUNDAY

Quick Page by Bubbles Babbles.

Friday's Feast

Appetizer
What is the nearest big city to your home?

Chicago.

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

10 - If you tell me something and say you don't want anyone else to know, I'm not going to tell anyone else. However, I'm not fond of keeping secrets, so don't make a habit of it.

Salad
Describe your hair (color, texture, length).

Medium brown intermixed with more and more gray every day (I really need to pick up some color), shoulder length, naturally curly but manageable.

Main Course
What kind of driver are you? Courteous? Aggressive? Slow?

I think I'm a confident driver. It doesn't pay to be aggressive, and going too slow can cause aggression in others. I have noticed lately that a lot of people are slowing down (much to Paul's chagrin), and I think that's due to the price of gas. I'm courteous to a certain point, but not to the point of being stupid. I mean, if you're at a four way stop and it's your turn and you wave on all three cars to go before you...holding up the line behind you...that just messes up the flow and causes aggression in those behind you. If it's your turn, go!! I have an issue with a four-way stop in the neighborhood where I work. Oh yeah, and another issue of mine is if there a yield sign, that means you YIELD! You have no idea how many times I have seen cars just blow right through a yield sign while driving through that above-mentioned neighborhood.

I better quit while I'm ahead because I'm just going to get myself worked up.

Dessert

When was the last time you had a really bad week?

I don't know. I'll have a bad day once in a while, but it usually doesn't ruin my whole week.

Friday's Feast 2 For 1

Since we were out of town last Friday and I didn't participate in Friday's Feast, you get a double feature this week. Hope you're hungry!

Appetizer
What was your favorite cartoon when you were a child?

Flintstones. Meet the Flintstones. They're the modern stone age family. From the...town of Bedrock...they're a page right of of history....

I was also a big fan of Sesame Street and the Electric Company, although they weren't cartoons.

Soup
Pretend you are about to get a new pet. Which animal would you pick, and what would you name it?

Gee....this is a toughie. A dog (golden retriever or a golden doodle, of course). Right now I'm liking the name Olive, but Paul's not to keen on that one so we'll see.

Salad
On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being highest, how much do you enjoy getting all dressed up for a special occasion?

I'll say 7-3/4. It's fun to get dressed up once in a while, but I'm most comfortable in jeans and a sweatshirt or sweats and a T-shirt.

Main Course
What kind of music do you listen to while you drive?

When I'm driving by myself, I typically don't listen to any music. In the morning it's too much talk radio and news. After work I prefer to unwind in silence. If Paul's driving, he usually has the radio on a classic rock station.

Dessert
When was the last time you bought a clock? And in which room did you put it?

I bought a plain round clock to decorate and put in the bathroom, but it's been sitting on my shelf in my craft room for a couple of years now. I'll get around to it someday.

____________________________________________________

Appetizer
When someone smiles at you, do you smile back?

Yes. I hate it when you smile at someone and they don't return it.

Soup
Describe the flooring in your home. Do you have carpet, hardwood, vinyl, a mix?

Carpet throughout except in kitchen, bathrooms, and entryway where it is ceramic tile. We're thinking about hardwood. Maybe someday...after I hang the clock in the bathroom.

Salad
Write a sentence with only 5 words, but all of the words have to start with the first letter of your first name.

My mom makes mouth-watering meatballs.

Main Course
Do you know anyone whose life has been touched by adoption?

I don't personally know anyone right now with an adopted child, but I know a couple of adults who were adopted as children.

Dessert
Name 2 blue things.

1. My car.
2. The car we rented for our trip last weekend. Look at this...it's a 2008 Ford Taurus, but it was POWDER BLUE! Unfortunately when you rent a car, you don't get to choose the color. This picture doesn't even come close to how powdery this car actually was.

Friday's Feast

Appetizer
Name something you would categorize as weird.

Those of you who eat watermelon without salting it first. Salt enhances the flavor, people!

Soup
What color was the last piece of food you ate?

Brownish. We went out to our favorite family restaurant tonight. I had the cod special with baked potato and a salad...lots of brown going on there; however, my last couple of bites were of Paul's Swedish pancakes. Yum-O.

Salad
On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being highest, how much do you enjoy being alone?

Six maybe. I'm a hermit. I don't mind being alone but not totally alone. I spend a lot of time up here in my craft/computer room while Paul is downstairs on the laptop or watching TV...I'm alone but not really. On a job I prefer to work independently without a lot of supervision. I work better when there is no one looking over my shoulder.

Main Course
Fill in the blank: I will _________ vote for ___________ in _______.

I will always vote for nuts and other crunchy things in my ice cream.

Dessert
Describe your sleeping habits.

I won't spend a lot of time on this because we all know about my sleep...or lack there of. I will add that I notice that I always tend to not be able to fall asleep unless I start out on my right side and I have to be super tired to fall asleep on my back.

Speaking of sleeping, I'm on my way downstairs right now to veg out on the couch and probably fall asleep. I need to stretch out. It's storming out and Abby has positioned herself under my desk. I've been sitting crooked for the past hour to accommodate her. Poor thing. When we left to go to dinner tonight, she literally tried to follow us out into the garage, which is something she never does, so I'm a little worried about the storms that must be on the way. I guess some parts of the city saw golf-ball size hail earlier today.

Friday's Feast

Yeah, I know...it's Saturday. I haven't had much blogging time. I've been working a ton of overtime again, and this past week Paul has been sick. He either had some sort of stomach flu or food poisoning (my money is on the latter considering some of the places he eats lunch at). He's just now starting to feel better, but he has had a miserable couple of days.

Appetizer
Name a color you find soothing.

Blue. I'm seriously thinking about painting our bedroom and the master bathroom blue...like a dusty blue. (Shhhh...don't tell Paul...He's not going to want to paint again.) I've been seeing that color a lot on Trading Spaces, and I really like it.

Soup
Using 20 or less words, describe your first driving experience.

I honestly don't remember my "first" driving experience. One time that stands out, though, is driving around with dad in the car right after I got my permit. I ran a red light...and there was a cop behind me.

I think I used more than 20 words there.

Salad
What material is your favorite item of clothing made out of?

Fleece.

Main Course
Who is a great singer or musician who, if they were to come to your town for a concert, you would spend the night outside waiting for tickets to see?

There is no one I would spend the night outside downtown to get tickets for. Sheila and I were just talking today about concerts. We went to quite a few when we were younger, and the bands we saw in the 80's are starting to make the rounds again...but for some reason they just don't have the same appeal as they once did. One band that we never got to see that I would definitely go see today if they should happen to came to town is Bon Jovi.

Dessert
What is the most frequent letter of the alphabet in your whole name (first, middle, maiden, last, etc.)?

Thanks to my middle name, that would be the letter "N."

Friday's Feast

Appetizer
Invent a new flower, give it a name, and describe it.

How about this peony-like version of a poppy called Poppy Venus crossed with the leaves and long stalk of a tulip. It would be a perennial that would come in multiple different colors and grow perfectly in the shade or the sun.

What would I call it? A lollipoppy, of course, because it would look just like a lollipop.

Soup
Name someone whom you think has a wonderful voice.

Hmmmm. Well, since it's American Idol season, and I was very disappointed this past week when she was in the bottom 3, I'm going to say Brooke White. I love the naturalness of her voice.

Salad
On a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being highest, how clean do you keep your car?

Inside or outside? Summer or winter? I admit I'm not very good at keeping the old thing clean. All the dirt helps hide the rust. I would give it a 6 right now since we just drove it through the car wash about a week ago.

Main Course
How do you feel about poetry?

It depends on the type. Some of it I love. Some of it is too deep for me and I just don't understand it.

Dessert
What was the last person/place/thing you took a picture of?

Gee...who do you think it was of? Yes...you guessed it. Abby. It was her birthday picture in the post below.

Friday's Feast

Appetizer
What does the color dark green make you think of?

A forest.

Soup
How many cousins do you have?

I have no clue. Mom's the youngest of 13, and dad was the youngest of 4. I have cousins I don't even know about.

Salad
On a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being highest, how honest are you?

10

Oh wait...that's a lie.

Main Course
Name something that is truly free.

Fresh air. Not that that is easy to find in the midst of all the pollution.

Dessert
Using the letters in the word SPRING, write a sentence.

Spring-Promised Rain Invites New Growth

Friday's Feast

Appetizer
Given the choice, would you prefer to live in the country or in the city?

Country, hands down. I am definitely not a city girl. I would love to have a nice size chunk of land, breed goldens, and maybe have a horse.

Soup
Who is the cutest kid you know?

To be fair to all the human kids I know, I'm going to have to say Abby.

Salad
Fill in the blank: I couldn’t believe it when I heard ___________.

...we were supposed to get 10 inches of snow today. Doesn't Mother Nature know that yesterday was the first day of spring???

Main Course
If you could star in a commercial for one of your favorite products, which one would you want to advertise?

One of those commercials with the little yellow lab puppy for Cottonelle Toilet Paper. Seriously...the Ultra is pretty soft stuff!

Dessert
What type(s) of vitamins and/or supplements do you take on a regular basis?

Um....in my cupboard are One-A-Day Women's and fish oil. Would about once every couple of months be considered a regular basis? I have good intentions...really I do.

Friday's Feast

Appetizer
On a scale of 1-10 (with 10 as highest), how much do you like your own handwriting?

Probably about an 8. My handwriting depends on my mood. Sometimes I try harder than others. I do get a lot of compliments on my handwriting.

Soup
Do you prefer baths or showers?

I would have to say showers. There was a time I would have said baths, and I do like a long soak every now and then, but now the only time I really ever take a bath is if my muscles are aching.

Salad
What was the last bad movie you watched?

Since we were just talking about it at work a couple of days ago so it's fresh in my mind, I'm going to have to say the movie "Bug." I love both Ashley Judd and Harry Connick, Jr., so I was looking forward to this movie and was thinking it would be good. It's just plain weird. I really don't watch a whole lot of movies...I'm a very finicky movie watcher. If a movie doesn't hold my attention, I fall asleep...out like a light. Paul knows what I like and what I don't, and if he says there is a movie that I will like, he's usually right...although he usually has to twist my arm to get me to watch it.

Main Course
Name something you are addicted to and describe how it affects your life.

Food. Unfortunately it's an addiction that you can't go cold turkey on. My other addiction would be the Internet. If our Internet is down, I feel like I'm disconnected from the world. I'm not on it all the time, but I absolutely hate it if the option isn't there.

Dessert
Which instrument is your favorite to listen to?

Either piano or acoustic guitar.

Friday's Feast

Appetizer
Who was the last person you hugged?

Paul

Soup
Share a beauty or grooming trick or tip with us.

Blow dry your hair upside down to give it more volume.

Salad
What does the color yellow make you think of?

Sunshine

Main Course
If you were to make your living as a photographer, what subject would your pictures revolve around?

Animals

Dessert
What was the longest book you ever read?

"It" by Stephen King

Friday's Feast

Appetizer
Have you ever played a practical joke on anyone? If so, what did you do and who was your victim?

No, not really. I'm not a big fan of practical jokes.

Soup
What do your salt and pepper shakers look like?

Pillsbury Doughboy and girl. We don't really use the pepper one, though. Paul likes to use a grinder instead.

Salad
Where is the next place you plan to visit (on vacation or business)?

We'll plan to head back up to Door County, WI, around our anniversary again this year.

Main Course
What kind of lotion or cream do you use to keep your hands from getting too dry?

Plain old baby lotion. If it's good enough for a baby's butt, it's good enough for me. I don't use lotion near as often as I should.

Dessert
Make up a dessert, tell us its ingredients, and give it a name.

Take mom's caramel corn, which is popcorn covered with homemade toffee, and drizzle it with chocolate. I'd call it Impossibly Irresistible Choco-toffee Corn.

Friday's Feast

Appetizer
Name one thing that is unique about you.

I have a very strong drive to "do the right thing." I could never be a criminal without being overwhelmed by feelings of guilt. About as criminal I can get is going over the speed limit. Today I was parked under a "no parking at any time" sign for probably about 1-1/2 minutes while waiting for Paul to fill up his car with gas, and I was paranoid the whole time.

Soup
Fill in the blank: My favorite _________ is __________ but I like _________ too.

My favorite fruit is an orange, but I like grapefruit too (a lot).

Salad
What type of wood do you have for your home’s furnishings?

What do you call it...pressed particle board. No, I have no idea. Since our kitchen cabinets are oak, that's my final answer. Wait...that's not really considered furniture is it?

Main Course
Who do you talk to most often on the phone?

Paul. I talk to him almost every day during the week either at work or on his cell phone on his way home from work. I'm really not a big fan of talking on the phone. I actually hate making phone calls and think email is the best invention ever.

Dessert
What level of responsibility do you have in your job?

A moderate amount. There are three levels: I, II, III, and IV. I'm a III. The IV is the boss. I suppose you could say I'm the "assistant supervisor" because I take over when she's not there.

Last Friday's Feast And Some Other Stuff

Once again, I'm a little late with the feast. I wasn't feeling too good this past weekend. Some sort of sinus thing going on. I hope to get back to finishing up the VSN challenges in a few days. I still have every intention of finishing. I hardly got up off the couch on Saturday. Sunday I put on a pot of chili early, but then Paul's cousin and his family joined us for dinner. I only caught the last few seconds of the Superbowl...right after Eli Manning threw his game-winning pass. I can imagine yesterday was a proud moment in the Manning household, what with Eli's big brother Peyton winning the Superbowl last year. Congrats to the Giants.

I did watch quite a bit of the fourth annual Puppy Bowl, though, which runs all day on Animal Planet. A bunch of puppies frolicking in an area made up to look like a football stadium. What could be better?

Jackson, the Westie, here won MVP.

Finnigan, the Cavachon, got my vote.
Well, he would have if I knew there was a vote!

Isn't he a cutie!

Appetizer
What is your favorite kind of cereal?

Hot - Chocolate Malt-O-Meal
Cold - I don't really have a favorite, but I like:

• Honey Bunches of Oats with Almonds
• Rice Chex
• Honey Nut Cheerios
• Special K Red Berries
  
• Captain Crunch Crunch Berries (totally Paul's fault)
• Captain Crunch Peanut Butter (only dry, though)

Cereals that I dislike are anything with dried up marshmallows in it. I get shivers up and down my spine just thinking of it.

Soup
When was the last time you purchased something for your home, what was it, and in which room did it go?

New frying pans for the kitchen sometime last year. That's the last thing I can think of anyway. I'm trying to get rid of stuff...not bring more stuff in.

Salad
What is the funniest commercial you’ve ever seen?

I totally cannot think of any. Since we switched over to digital cable with DVR, we hardly ever watch commercials anymore. Usually all our shows are recorded and we watch them later, fast-forwarding through the commercials. Usually they're too loud anyway.

Main Course
Make up a name for a company by using a spice and an animal (example: Cinnamon Monkey).

Ginger Giraffe

Dessert
Fill in the blank: I haven’t ______ since ______.

I haven't taken a vacation since May.

Friday's Feast

Appetizer
How many times per day do you usually laugh?

Probably not as many as I should, as they say laughter is the best medicine. It depends on where I am and who I'm with. Something or someone usually makes me laugh a few times during the day at work. Paul makes me laugh all the time. He would probably be surprised to know that because I know he sometimes tries hard to get me to laugh but sometimes my mood just doesn't allow for it. He's hilarious, though, and can really come up with some funny stuff.

Soup
What do your sunglasses look like?

They're clip-ons that clip on my glasses. Exciting, huh? Hey...they serve their purpose.

Salad
You win a free trip to anywhere on your continent, but you have to travel by train. Where do you go?

Pacific Northwest

Main Course
Name one thing you consider a great quality about living in your town/city.

Ugh. I'm really not a fan of this city and would much rather live in a smaller town. With that being said, I guess one of the better qualities is easy access to everything...shopping, restaurants, etc. You don't have to drive very far. You usually have to wait in line, though, because there are just too many people.

Dessert
If the sky could be another color, what color do you think would look best?

Weird question. I guess I would have to say the colors of a sunset with the beautiful pinks and purples. If we had that all the time, though, it would become not so special and we wouldn't have anything to watch and appreciate.

Friday's Feast

Appetizer
What is your favorite beverage?

Clear diet pop...something like Sprite, 7-Up, Mountain Dew, etc.

Soup
Name 3 things that are on your computer desk at home or work.

1. Paper.
2. Pens.
3. A picture of Abby.

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

A 10, of course. Oh wait, I guess that I just lied there...so I guess I have to say 9. I all out honesty, though, I'm going to have to give myself a 7 or 8. There is nothing wrong with a white lie to spare feelings...or to get me out of doing something that I really don't want to do.

Main Course
If you could change the name of one city in the world, what would you rename it and why?

I have no idea.

Dessert
What stresses you out? What calms you down?

Stresses me out - Running late or not being able to find something.
Calms me down - When everything goes the way it is supposed to and I'm running ahead of schedule.

Friday's Feast

Appetizer

What is your middle name? Would you change any of your names if you could? If so, what would you like to be called?

My middle name is Lynn. No, I don't think I'd change anything. Mom was going to name me Mona. Why I don't know. Thank God she came to her senses.

Soup
If you were a fashion designer, which fabrics, colors, and styles would you probably use the most?

Simple basic styles and classic colors with maybe a few brights thrown in. Soft comfortable fabric.

Salad
What is your least favorite chore, and why?

Vacuuming. It's boring, tiresome, and loud.

Main Course

What is something that really frightens you, and can you trace it back to an event in your life?

Deep water. When I was younger, maybe around age 10 or so, I was playing with my next door neighbor and her family in their pool. I slipped under the water and couldn't find my way back to the top for a second. It wasn't a huge pool or anything, just an average above-ground pool, so all I would have really had to have done is stand up, but I remember having a moment of panic thinking I was going to drown because no one knew I was under the water. To this day I can't even watch movies with underwater scenes. I have to look away and tell myself to breathe.

Dessert
Where are you sitting right now? Name 3 things you can see at this moment.

At the computer desk in our computer room/office/my stamping studio.

1. Abby's toys scattered all over the floor.
2. My extremely messy stamping area.
3. Miscellaneous papers scattered all over.