This Or That?

For Thanksgiving dinner...

1. Turkey or Ham? Turkey. It's not Thanksgiving without it. Ham is for Easter.

2. Cranberry Sauce or Stuffing? I like both, but it's not called stuffing...it's dressing. I don't want it if it's been up the turkey's butt (hello, salmonella). As far as the cranberry sauce, unlike my sister who likes the fresh stuff, I will only eat cranberry sauce that comes from a can. If it doesn't come out in the shape of a can, I don't want it.

3. Pumpkin Pie or Apple Pie? I could really pass on either, but I guess I'll say pumpkin...with Cool Whip.

4. Warm apple cider or hot cocoa? I don't do the warm cider thing. I absolutely hate mulling spices...makes my tongue numb just thinking about it. I'll take the cocoa...with a bunch of marshmallows or real whipped cream. Try stirring it with a peppermint stick and watch the peppermint disappear before your eyes. Or, even better, add a little bit of Bailey's Irish Cream Yum!

5. Cook the meal yourself or go to someone's house to eat? It varies from year to year. Going to mom's this year for dinner and to Paul's aunt's house for dessert later on.

6. After eating do you...collapse on the couch in front of the tv or go for a walk? Do people seriously go for a walk after Thanksgiving dinner? How is that even possible? I can tell you right now I will be vegging...and napping...and then vegging some more...

Randomness

Let's Talk Books

1. Name a few of your favorite books.

I don't really have any favorite books, per se. There are no books that I read over and over again. I just have favorite authors, which I know I've listed in the past, so I won't get into that again.

2. Is there an author that you don't like, yet so many people seem to love?

Jonathan Kellerman. He writes the kind of books that I would normally like. The main character in most of his books is a child psychologist named Alex Delaware who solves crimes. However, his books are written from a very male point of view, and I just can't relate. I've never read any of his other books, but I have a feeling his writing style is consistent.

3. Name a book to film adaptation that you really like. Name one you think was done poorly.

The best one I have ever seen is Intensity, one of Dean Koontz's books. It's the only book-to-film adaption that I have ever seen where the film was exactly like the book. I loved that. Usually there is extra stuff in the book that you don't seen in the movie or the movie just doesn't reflect the same feeling as the book.

As far as ones that were done poorly, I guess I would have to say some of the Stephen King books, although I'm not a big fan of Stephen King, so I'm not one to judge.

4. Where do you buy your books?

Usually Sam's Club.

5. What genre do you read the most?

Medical thrillers and books about dogs.

6. What genre do you dislike?

Romance novels.

7. Is there a book that has changed your life?

Right now I'm reading The Shack by William Paul Young, and I can see it as being a book that really makes you think. I'm only half way through it now, but according the the reviews, it has changed a lot of people.

8. Have you ever met an author? What author would you like to meet?

Nope. I would like to meet Dean Koontz...because of his love for goldens that I so admire.

till next time...

Randomness

Couch Potatoes

1. What are your favorite TV programs? How long have you been watching them?

CSI, Lost, Law & Order SVU, Bones, 24. We have pretty much watched them all from the beginning. Maybe not SVU...I think I picked up on that a couple of seasons in when they started playing reruns on USA. We didn't start watching 24 until this last year either when Paul's cousin loaned us his DVDs.

2. What's your favorite snack while watching TV?

Cheese puffs.

3. Who's your TV crush?

I'd have to say Sawyer from Lost, the island's resident bad boy (don't tell Paul).

4. Where's your favorite place to watch TV?

In the living room, lying on the couch.

5. Name a TV show you wish would go off the air.
South Park...Family Guy, etc.

6. Name a TV show that is no longer on the air, but you really wish they would bring back.

Friends

7. Have you ever purchased any TV program collectables? (ie...posters, figurines...etc....)

Not since I was a teenager when my walls were covered with posters. Like I have room for that kind of stuff...and like Paul would let me hang a poster of Sawyer on the bedroom wall. Maybe this one...

Word Association

The chef is having technical difficulties over at Friday's Feast, so there wasn't one last Friday. I thought I would throw some Randomness in here instead.

What's the first thing you think of...(my answers are in red).

1. flower... rose
2. paper... scrapbook
3. coffee... Starbucks
4. tire... car
5. sand... beach
6. work... boring
7. reality tv... Survivor
8. itch... mosquito (Are they BAD this year or what?)
9. tooth... dentist
10. sour... candy

Speaking of dentists...wait until you hear this. I'm way overdue for a visit, but I might as well not bother because even though I have insurance and pay my premiums out of my paycheck, the Governor of Illinois has decided not to pay dental claims for state employees and to use the money for something else. "They" say the claims will most likely be paid when the state budget is agreed upon. Isn't that a fine how-do-you-do? Now I have heard through the grapevine that he is doing the same thing for one of the medical plans. How messed up is that? Fortunately it's not the plan that I have, but one of my coworkers does.

Randomness

1. What is your favorite day of the week?

I always say my favorite day of the week is Friday at 5:00. It's the end of the week and we're both home from work...usually.

2. How do you usually wear your hair?

Right now I'm all about the ponytail. My hair is pretty long right now and with the humidity we have been having, it's a crazy mess. The only way to keep it under control is to put it up. I'm still contemplating cutting it short again.

3. What is your favorite item of clothing?

My red UIC sweatshirt. It's a little too hot to wear that now, though.

4. Where would your dream vacation be?

Probably Hawaii. Although a friend of mine just got back from a Mediterranean cruise and that sounds pretty darn nice.

5. Who is your favorite author? book?

I really don't have one favorite author, as I read all different kinds of books. Medical thrillers are my favorite but I also like mysteries, ghost stories, autobiographies, and true crime. I'm not so much into romance novels. Some of my favorite authors include Robin Cook, Tess Gerritsen, Sue Grafton, and Patricia Cornwell. I like some Steven King and Dean Koontz, but they are pretty out there for me most of the time. I just recently read one of Dean Koontz's latest books, The Darkest Evening of the Year...mainly because one of the main characters is a golden retriever. Dean is a huge golden lover like myself and recently lost his beloved Trixie to cancer. I love reading his website and hearing his stories about Trixie.

6. How often do you log on?

It varies. Sometimes the computer doesn't get turned on all day...sometimes I'm checking things a few times a day.

7. What is one of your favorite internet sites to visit?

Splitcoast Stampers

8. Coke or Pepsi?

Diet 7-Up or Sierra Mist Free. I like the clear ones better. If I have to pick Coke or Pepsi, I choose Pepsi...only diet. Regular coke still tastes like cough medicine to me, and regular Pepsi is just way too sweet. However, once in a great while I do get craving for a Cherry Coke.

9. Do you prefer healthy snacks or junk food?

Hahaha. Obviously I feel better eating healthy snacks. I enjoy munching on cut-up veggies. Paul can't comprehend why I would reach for a veggie tray over a tray of cookies. Unfortunately, junk food is just so much easier.

10. Are you a morning person or a night owl?

Well...the older I get, the harder it is to stay up late. I used to get more accomplished at night. Now I find myself waking up early even if I don't have to. Mid-afternoon is actually the worst time for me. I would take a nap between 1 and 3 every single day if I could get away with it.

till next time....