25 Random Things about Me - Reposted from 2009

I've seen this several places, with several different numbers, and I've already played along several times.

But, here I go again.

25 Random Things about Me:

1. I get a thrill out of being boring. It's who I am and what I do. Like, for instance, I made this thing to the right today while I waited for my pictures on my "simplythrift" blog to upload. http://www.simplythrift.blogspot.com/

2. My pulse is consistently 100. This totally blows the theory that all one must do to increase one's metabolism is to raise one's heart rate. This just may be why I always feel that I am in a panic.

3. I still have not purchased a 2009 calendar.

4. Something about me makes me want to stay home. I know. There is a name for this. Presently, I'm not into labels.

5. I've got great ideas for things that THGGM should do. Like, turn the shed in the backyard into a playhouse for Jonge and Famke. He has ideas for things that I should do also, but his ideas do not interest me anymore than mine interest him.

6. During the Y2K scare of '99 while other people were hording food, I was hiding bags of Peanut M&M's around my home. I could not think of anything worse than not having those.

7. My kitchen is a disaster, but my toy closet is neat as a pin. I'm weird like that.

8. I think you can tell more about a person by learning who they keep in their imaginary audience than you can by any other means.

9. My eyes do not cry tears. It's annoying, especially when something gets in my eyes. Famke does not cry tears either.

10. Daughter once attempted to let her cousin out of her very high second story bedroom window using a rope. Thankfully, Youngest Son remembered the rule that I must be reported to if anyone was bleeding, throwing up or could DIE.

11. This same son also reported to me that those two were about to sled off our garage roof into the snow. Although they are both presently 26 years of age I still get slightly nervous when I see the two of them together and feel strangely comforted if Youngest Son is in their midst.

12. One summer I used a cassette tape of our church choir singing a cantata whenever I wanted Oldest Son to play outside. It worked very well.

13. Long ago when I was home schooling Oldest Son and Daughter, sitting around our dining room table in our pajamas with our cat as a center piece, our dog began vomiting under the table. No one even flinched. At that precise moment I realized that we would never be featured on the cover of a home schooling magazine. Or Good Housekeeping, for that matter.

14. My favorite quote of my mother's came from when she was the custodian at our church. I clearly remember her wiping down the stair handrails and saying to no one in particular, "Their hearts might be pure, but their hands sure aren't clean." I think of this often.

15. When I was a little girl my dad put a hook into our old Box Elder Tree so that he could turn the rope while I jumped. And people wonder why it isn't hard at all for me to watch out for him.

16. My side of the bed is extremely messy. And I don't even care.

17. I have trouble with my hands being always numb and tingly. This causes me to drop things. It's a good thing that our couch is the color of coffee with cream.

18. I still haven't figured out what I want to be when I grow up. Apparently, there is still time.

19. I've not quite learned how to deal with the things that have happened to me that I do not believe in.

20. It still know the combination to my locker from 8th grade. 13-43-7

21. If I need to know what letter comes after another in the alphabet, I have to go all the way back to "A" to find out.

22. It's impossible for me to know if I'm having a good time while I am doing something. I have to go home and think about it before I know for sure.

23. On New Year's Day THGGM and I went out for dinner with my sister and brother-in-law and my dad for his 61st anniversary. THGGM turned to me and said, "Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't know we were dressing up." I whispered back, "I didn't dress up. I just haven't done laundry since Christmas." This pretty much sums up my life.

24. I take one prescription drug. Remember this. Today my dad had a doctor's appointment. I remembered to bring along his list of ten different medicines that THIS doctor prescribes for him. I remembered to bring along the fax number so those prescripts could be sent directly to the mail order pharmacy. I also remembered to have three prescripts called in to the local pharmacy as he was running low on those. Yesterday I called to refill my ONE prescription drug and forgot to pick it up.

25. Last night THGGM put baby booties on our cat. This makes the cat jump around all weird. This is what poor boring people do for fun. The rich and interesting have their travels and adventures, but we have Uncle Barb the dancing cat to brighten up an otherwise quiet Monday evening at home.

Really. If you took the time to read all 25 things about me, you should leave a comment or send me and email at judyh58@aol.com.

And now I shall get back to my happy little life...

The Christmas Twenty-Five

1. Do you prefer egg nog or hot chocolate?

I much prefer hot chocolate, and am drinking some right now.

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?

Santa's ELVES wrap the presents, don't they?

3. Colored lights or white lights?

White lights! Lots and lots of white light!

4. Mistletoe?

No. Not this year.

5. When do you put up your decorations?

The week of Thanksgiving. So glad this didn't ask when I take them down!

6. What is your favorite Christmas dish?

Anything with cheese.

7. What is your favorite Christmas memory as a child?

I don't believe I have one UNhappy childhood Christmas memory. I did always love the BIG family gatherings.

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa Claus?

I cannot recall having a problem with this. Santa is as real as I want him to be.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?

Some years, yes. Most years, no.

10. How do you decorate your tree?

TREE? We have trees. I like a forest of small trees. There is one big one in the basement, but I have many scattered throughout the house each decorated differently.

11. Love snow or hate snow?

A clean layer of snow is beautiful to look out at from inside. Driving in snow is a totally different story and I absolutely hate to do that.

12. Can you ice skate?

I could. Haven't even thought of attempting it again.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift?

I remember being THRILLED to get Legos.

14. What's the most important thing about Christmas for you?

The true story of Christmas is just so amazing. God breaks into history, as a baby.

15. What is your favorite holiday dessert?

Frosted cut-out sugar cookies! More please!

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition?

On Christmas Eve I love to sit at the piano and play through my favorite Christmas songs.

17. Do you prefer giving or receiving?

I know it is more blessed to give than to receive, but I cannot say that I dislike receiving!

18. What tops your tree?

Most of my trees are topped with stars. With the exception of the bird themed tree, which is topped with, well, birds!

19. Do you like Candy Canes?

I like to put them in jars and hang them on trees, but this year hasn't been conducive to that. I'm not a big fan of peppermint, so if I can find the clove candy canes I'm a happy girl.

20. Favorite Christmas movie?

My favorite is Holiday Inn. It has sooo many great lines in it. Like, "We're looking for the back of a girl we don't know." And, it has Fred and Bing.

21. Saddest Christmas song?

"Where Will You Spend Christmas Eve?" - We sang this in high school choir. Nothing like being reduced to sobs in front of ones peers.

22. Favorite Christmas song?

Mine are categorized. But, to make this quick, my favorite hymn book song would be "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day", and my favorite secular song would be "Christmas in Killarney".

23. Who will you be missing the most this Christmas?

This will be the third year of missing my mom the most. It's easier to deal with my dad being gone, as he is in Heaven and I'm hoping will get to travel back and see the FIRST Christmas this year. It's harder with my mom, who lives a (mostly) peaceful and calm life at the nursing home. But I'm always wondering.., WHERE, exactly, is SHE?

24. What will you be doing the day AFTER Christmas this year?

Getting ready for THE family Christmas party.

25. What is your favorite way of relaxing after the Christmas celebrating is done for the year?

I like to sit down with a large stack of Christmas magazines and start dreaming of next year...

Ten Things I Do Every Day

I am borrowing this from Karen at Over the Back Yard Fence (www.overbackyardfence.blogspot.com), a lovely place to visit!

TEN THINGS I DO EVERY DAY

1. Drink two mugs of coffee, to wake up.

2. Read from the Bible, a read-through-in-a-year NIV, because I need this.

3. Catch the news and weather updates at 7:55, to know what's going on.

4. Talk to my dad on the phone, because I love him.

5. Make the bed, one of THGGM's simple requests of me.

6. Feed the cat, to stop the whining.

7. Check my e-mail, because someone might write to me.

8. Play Pathwords, because I've become addicted to catching up with Daughter.

9. Pick up something, start reading it, and lose all sense of time, because I'm me.

10. Watch "The Wiggles", because one can never have enough 'ear worms'.

She Does the Occasional Meme

I found this at Kris' and tweaked it a bit...

Do you like cheese?
Yes. I DO like cheese. Especially sharp cheddar.

Have you ever smoked?
Just that one time I mentioned in an earlier post. And, I am sure you would have to, under the circumstances.

Do you own a gun?
No. But, there is a mouse in my kitchen and I will resort to guns if necessary to eliminate it.

Do you like listening to Christmas music?
Yes. John Denver and the Muppets and carols played on a harp.

Do you get nervous before a doctor's appointment?
Yes. Mostly because I hate to park in parking ramps.

What do you think of hot dogs?
Not much. I can eat them with spicy brown mustard and vadilia onions.

What is your favorite Christmas song of all time?
I love "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day".

What do you prefer to drink in the morning?
I prefer to drink a mug of coffee with cream and one Splenda, twice in the morning.

Can you do push ups?
I couldn't say. If someone where to yell 'drop and give me five' we would find out now, wouldn't we?

Who is you favorite Grey's Anatomy character?
I do not watch that show. Now, I do have a favorite Gray's Anatomy Coloring Book page, but, that isn't what you asked.

What is your favorite piece of jewelry?
I have a gold heart necklace with a pearl in it (my birthstone) that THGGM gave to me for my sixteenth birthday.

What is your favorite hobby?
Thrifting for craft supplies which I hoard in my basement like a crazy lady. That, and I still do like to rubber stamp.

Do you eat "exotic" foods.
I do not.

Do you have A.D.D.?
I think not. I have the ability to do the same boring things over and over again and ENJOY it. Although I do have trouble sitting still. I keep getting ideas, and have to tweak things, and...

What one trait do you hate about yourself?
Oh, wow. Just one? I hate how I have piles and piles of important piles and piles all over my desk. Which sort of fits in with how I have too many interests and very little follow through because I keep finding more important things to deal with...

What is your middle name?
58. Well, actually, it is Lynn. But it wasn't supposed to be. My mom forgot when the birth certificate lady came by and all she could think of was Lynn.

Name three thoughts that you are having at this exact moment.
1. I can hear a mouse.
2. I hate mice.
3. Despereaux is a movie I shall never see.

Name three things that you bought yesterday.
I did not buy anything yesterday. People do that you know. Not buy stuff. It can be done.

Name three things you regularly drink.
1. Coffee
2. Diet Coke
3. Water

Current hate.
I hate when the phone rings and the Caller ID says the name of the nursing home my mom lives in. I am getting more used to it, as they have to report EVERYTHING that happens. But, still. It scares me and I hate that.

Favorite place to be.
My favorite place to be is on the couch reading books to Jonge, Famke and Uncle Barb.

How did you bring in the New Year?
This old year? By having Jonge and Famke spend the night. Jonge's birthday is January 1st, so we got to be the first to wish him a Happy Birthday, and it was the very first time Famke spent the night with us, so it was great fun. I have pictures on my blog to prove it.

Where would you like to go?
I would like to go to bed, but I have to give THGGM ample time to fall deeply asleep so that I can turn on the light and read my favorite Christmas stories. I'd sort of like to go to New Zealand, too. But then I would have to leave the house.

Do you own flip-flops?
What a personal question. Yes. Yes I do. I don't know where they are right now, as it is very very cold in these parts.

What shirt are you wearing?
I am wearing the denim blue striped shirt I found last month at the thrift store. It suits me.

Do you like sleeping on satin sheets?
Not really. Although, I can pretty much sleep anywhere if I am tired enough.

Can you whistle?
I can, but underneath the whistle there is a strange bellow-y sound that causes my family to mock me. Right in front of me, not even behind my back.

What is your favorite color?
Blue is my favorite color.

What songs do you sing in the shower?
"Oh I like to take my time I mean that when I find a thing to do I like to take the time to do it right." Or whatever "Ear Worm" is floating around in my head.

Favorite girl's name.
Famke is my favorite girl.

Favorite boy's name.
Jonge is my favorite boy.

What is in your pocket right now?
The crinkly wrapper from one of those chewy mint candies with a Christmas tree in the center.

Last thing that made you laugh?
Famke climbed on to THGGM's lap today while he was reading a book to Jonge. She kept sticking her face in front of his face so he could not see the book. She knows how to get equal time. No doubt about that. It was VERY VERY funny.

Worst injury you've ever had.
Let's see.., either the one that removed my eye brow or the one that tore a ligament in my knee. Both happened while I was at home, minding my own business.

Do you love where you live?
Yes, I do.

How many TV's do you have?
Two. One in the den and one in the basement. Two too many, I'm thinking.

Who is your loudest friend?
I do not think that I have any loud friends. People who tend to get migraines tend to choose quiet self-effacing friends who like to read and make stuff.

How many pets do you have?
I have a very old male cat named Barb. Well, and then there is that mouse.

Do you get embarrassed easily?
Why? Should I? I don't think so. Good grief. Now I feel so vulnerable. Do I embarrass easily? Most likely, yes.

What is your favorite book?
My favorite book is "The Bird in the Tree" by Elizabeth Goudge.

What is your favorite candy?
I am diabetic. That means that I am predisposed to loving ALL candy. I adore Peanut M&M's due to the fact that they taste good and contain peanuts, which causes me to believe that I am getting a bit of protein along with the sugar and that somewhere, in the great scheme of things, it's a wash.

What song do you want played at your funeral?
"And another one's gone and another one's gone and another one bites the dust." I have a list somewhere. This is not a question you ask a depressed person at 12:30 in the morning (maybe 'found a peanut?).

What were you doing at 12:00 AM last night?
I was bringing my cat into the basement and noticing how warm it was outside.

What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up this morning?
How blessed I am to greet another day!

Four Things Meme

I've done this one before, but I like it!

This time I found it at Karen's blog, http://www.overbackyardfence.blogspot.com/

FOUR PLACES I go over and over:

1. Wisconsin in the fall
2. Traverse City in the spring
3. Grand Haven in the summer
4. Under a warm quilt in the winter

FOUR PEOPLE who email me regularly

1. My oldest sister
2. My older sister
3. THGGM (usually just to say "i'm on my way home, make coffee")
4. My blog commenters and other regular readers

FOUR of my FAVORITE PLACES to EAT

1. Arnie's - for the scandinavian shuffle
2. Hunan - for chicken with vegetables
3. Brann's - for steak (bogo with coupon!)
4. Florentines - for pizza

FOUR PLACES I'd rather be right now

1. Antique shopping in Wisconsin
2. Walking in the woods among golden-leafed trees
3. Napping with Famke (which is what i would normally be doing at this time)
4. Right here. I love to be at home.

FOUR TV SHOWS I could watch over and over

1. Decorating Cents
2. Signing Time
3. The Office
4. Frasier Reruns

A Meme from Living On Grace

I've seen this meme several places, and asked Pat at Living On Grace to assign me a letter. She gave me the letter L so I must tell you 10 things that I love that begin with the letter "L".

1. Love. Of course, how could one not love love.

2. Lake Michigan. So beautiful, every season.

3. Leaves. Especially in the fall.

4. Laughing. Lots and lots of laughing.

5. Lilacs. Oh, they smell so wonderful.

6. Longfellow, Henry W. "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day", my favorite poem.

7. Listening. Shhh. I'm listening. Love to do that.

8. Loyalty. How rare is this. And, how necessary.

9. Learning. Ahhh. Learning.

10. Life. I can't seem to live without it.

11. Living on Grace, Pat's blog. http://www.livingongrace.blogspot.com/ I just HAD to add a number eleven. Because I do love Pat's blog. And Pat. She's good people.

Another Meme

I found this one at Kris'. I left out a few, as my children already know enough weird stuff about me.

When was the last time you had butterflies?

The last time I had butterflies would be the last time I played the piano in public. I do get something similar quite frequently, but it is called 'taking medication on an empty stomach'.

How is your mood today?

Let's see...it's raining, it's cooler, I am home allllll alone, my mood is good.

Do you like seafood?

I like crab legs.

Mints or chewing gum?

Neither. Unless cinnamon candy in an Altoid tin could be considered a 'mint'.

What do you do all the time in the car?

I scream "STOP!", or "TURN HERE!", or "THIS IS THE EXIT WE WANT!". In a parked car, I play with my keychain Boggle game.

Do you like to read?

I do like to read. Right now I am reading "Mrs. Dalloway" by Virginia Woolf.

Have you ever changed your clothes while in a vehicle?

Yes. When cars used to be much bigger, and I was much smaller.

What is one thing you miss about your past?

I miss summer camp. A lot.

When was the last time you cried?

When I checked my mom into the nursing home. That was a BAD day.

Do you ever use your full name?

Don't you have to, for legal things? I have thought about changing my name to JudyH58.

What is one thing you've learned about life?

There is no rewind button.

What was the last movie you watched?

"Diary of a Mad Black Woman", and I LOVED it.

Is any one jealous of you?

That would REALLY be funny. Ha!

Has a friend ever used you?

Supposed friends, yes. Real friends, no.

Who was the last person you drove with?

I drove to and from Grand Haven with THGGM on Sunday. I have not been in a car since. And I am totally fine with that.

What is something that you want to do within the next week?

I have plans to spend a cool day at Lake Michigan.

Who was the last person you hugged?

Famke. She is just SOOOO hug-able.

Do you ever use post-its?

No. I have in the past, but they didn't help much. You have to remember to look at them.

Do you care what people think of you?

Not too much. Just enough so as not to intentionally embarrass the family.

Is silence really golden?

Silence is 14k gold. Hearing the laughter of grandchildren is 22k.

A Reading Meme

1. Do you remember how you developed a love for reading?

I grew up with two sisters who were always reading. Besides books, there was always a lot of print media in our home. We walked 'up the hill' to the library many times each summer.

2. What are some books you read as a child?

The Little House series, Charlotte's Web, Serilda's Star. I also enjoyed reading encyclopedias.

3. What is your favorite genre?

That seems to change as I change. I used to scorn fiction. Now I love it! I'm also a huge fan of short stories. It is probably easier to say what I do NOT like. Sci-Fi, Fantasy and Mystery. With many exceptions, but I do not seek these. (oh, but if you have not, DO read Dorothy Sayers "The Nine Tailors" - the best mystery ever written - which of course is easy for me to say, as it is one of the only mysteries i've ever read!)

4. Do you have a favorite novel?

My all time favorite novel is "The Bird in the Tree" by Elizabeth Goudge. It is first in a trilogy and I am SURE you would like it. Tied for 2nd place would be Catherine Marshalls "Christy" and "Julie". Taking the bronze, L.M. Montgomery for "Anne's House of Dreams".

5. Where do you usually read?

I usually read in bed at night. This is not such a good idea, because now I tend to fall asleep wherever I am whenever I read for very long. My favorite place to read has always been on the beach at P.J. Hoffmaster State Park. Every summer I would get Ruth Sawyer's "Maggie Rose" and read it at the beach.

6. When do you usually read?

Late at night.

7. Do you usually have more than one book you are reading at a time?

Yes. I do. It does depend on my mood at the time.

8. Do you read nonfiction in a different way or place than you read fiction?

If the nonfiction requires that I concentrate or take notes, then I must read with a pen in my hand. Without a pen in my hand my ability to concentrate is seriously hampered (and, without a pen, i cannot take notes).

9. Do you buy most of the books you read, or borrow them, or check them out of the library?

Mostly, I buy them at thrift stores. My sisters are excellent book resources also. And Youngest Son is tutoring his father in the fine art of reading N.T. Wright, so I read those before they go back to him.

10. Do you keep most of the books you buy? If not, what do you do with them?

I keep everything. Books are no exception.

11. If you have children, what are some of the favorite books you have shared with them? Were they the same ones you read as a child?

We enjoyed many of the same books during the early childhood years, but I think they were more influential in helping me choose books as they grew and developed different interests. One winter when Daughter was in 4th grade she suffered from a plethora of serious health issues. While I stenciled around our living room and dining room, she read Lois Lowry's "Number the Stars" outloud from her bed on the couch.

12. What are you reading now?

After finishing "The Tenant of Wildfell Hall" I couldn't jump into another novel right away. So, I am rereading a favorite nonfiction book, "The Cleaver's Don't Live Here Anymore" by Laurie Hall.

13. Do you keep a To Be Read list?

I have a 'sort of' TBR list. One stays in my purse at all time. I do have a TBR pile on my side of the bedroom, which THGGM finds terribly annoying. I don't know why this annoys him, as it isn't his side of the room.

14. What's next?

I want to read the other novel written by Anne Bronte'. Books, books, everywhere, but not the one I want to read...

15. What books would you like to reread?

Oh, so many! I just LOVE how a book strikes one differently upon repeated readings. Clarice of "Story Book Woods" just reminded me of the first Elizabeth Goudge book that I read, "The Scent of Water". I do want to reread that one, and soon. I'm working my way through M. L'Engle's "Crosswick Chronicles" and have two more to go. As for nonfiction, my Leanne Payne books seem to be calling to me (from her i first learned of e. goudge).

16. Who are your favorite authors?

C.S. Lewis, N.T. Wright, George MacDonald, L.M. Montgomery, Elizabeth Goudge, Madeleine L'Engle, Catherine Marshall, Walter Wangerin, E.B White, Laura Ingals Wilder, Annie Dillard, Anne Tyler, Anne Bronte'...too many to list them all...

(this meme comes from Barbara at "Stray Thoughts" www.barbarah.wordpress.com )

Meme about Me

I found this on Gabby's site. It's been awhile since I've done one of these, so here goes...

What is in the back of your car?
I do not have a car. In the back of THGGM's car is a package of pink tissue paper.

What color is your toothbrush?
Pink

Name one person who made you smile today.
Famke

What were you doing at 8:00 AM?
Arguing with THGGM about who was going to shower first.

What were you doing 45 minutes ago?
Marveling over the gorgeous sunset!

What is your favorite candy?
Peanut M&M's!

What is the last thing your said aloud?
Messages can still be left on the voice mail even if I am on the computer.

What is the best ice cream flavor?
Blue Moon

What is the last thing you had to drink?
Grape Flavored Water

What are you wearing right now?
Something hideous, yet comfortable.

What is the last thing you ate?
Almonds

Have you bought any new clothes this week?
No new clothes. No thrift clothes either.

When was the last time you ran?
Yesterday. Famke was here.

What was the last sporting event you watched?
Whatever it was that Tiger Woods just won.

Ever go camping?
Yes

Do you have a tan?
No

Do you take vitamins daily?
Yes, quite a few actually.

Do you go to church?
Yes

Do you like Chinese food more than pizza?
It's a tie.

Do you drink your soda with a straw?
I drink my pop straight from the can.

Are you someone's best friend?
I am THGGM's best friend.

What are you doing tomorrow?
The list is long. Very long.

Where is your dad?
Home, looking for his lost hearing aid.

Can you say the alphabet backwards?
Just a minute. Let me turn around. Yes. Yes, I can.

Do you have a maid service clean your home?
No. But we talk a lot about what "Theresa" hasn't done.

Do you have a favorite pair of shoes you wear all the time?
Yes. Those ugly rubbery things. They look absolutely awful on me, but I don't care.

What color is your car?
Okay. Rub it in. I do not have a car. THGGM's car is grey.

How do you like your popcorn?
Sprinkled with Parmesan cheese.

How did you get your worst scar?
I was sitting on my couch reading when SUDDENLY a screen fell over, removing my eyebrow.

Look to your left. What do you see?
A microwave

What color is your watch?
Silver

What do you think of when you think of Australia?
"The Thornbirds"

Do you use chap stick?
Not much

Do you have a dog?
No

Last person you talked to on the phone?
Daughter

Have you met anyone famous?
Not when they were famous.

Any plans today?
Not now. It's getting late.

How many states have you lived in?
Just this one. I like it here.

Do you dye your hair?
NO ONE would dye their hair this color. I guess that means, no.

Do you like cats?
I like MY cat.