A Tricky Hodgepodge

1. What's something you're dealing with that might be described as tricky?

~ Life itself! With unemployment, kidney failure (and trying to get a stint in for the seventh time) -attending dialysis three times a week at 5:45 AM (and I've never been a morning person), my condo is a mess and I don't have the drive or energy to thoroughly clean it, living totally on my own -yes, life is Very tricky these days

2.  What's your treat of choice?

~ I liked how a neighbor of mine use to give me and my siblings a bottle of Faygo pop when we went trick-or-treating at his door! He only did this for the neighbor kids he knew the best. This was so sweet! Nowadays my favorite treat on Halloween would be mini chocolate bars (ANY kind)!

3. Did you/will you carve a jack-o-lantern this month? Which real (living or dead) or fictional 'Jack' would you most like to meet in person? Why?

~ No, I won't. I wish I could celebrate like I use to but I can't light one on my condo porch -nor do I have reason to, nobody comes around. I'd like to meet Jack White, because I admire his talent, and Jack Frost, so I could tell him not to breathe upon me so harshly this winter!

4.  In your opinion, what's the grossest sounding word in the English language?

~ The word worthless always makes my ears bleed a little

5. When did your heart last skip a beat?

~  When I ate a very yummy filet (done blue, of course!) at 
Outback Steakhouse on my birthday Saturday -it was simply scrumptious!

6. Monster Mash by Bobby 'Boris' Picket, Michael Jackson's Thriller, Werewolves of London by Warren Zevon, or Ray Parker Jr.'s Ghostbusters...your favorite 'scary' tune?

~ The song Dummy Doll by Johnny Legend is my favorite 'scary' tune, but out of those listed I like 'Monster Mash' the most!

7.   It was a dark and stormy night when______________________________.

~ My cable went out on me, and stayed out for a long long while! (OK, it's still out, I really should call!)

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

~ Happy Hauntings!

~ Wednesday Hodgepodge

They Say It's Your Birthday

1. as you get older, are you jazzed about your birthday? 

~ Very jazzed, it's my favorite day of the year! It's cool that this meme falls today since today IS My birthday!!! 

2. do people usually remember your birthday? 

~ On Facebook they do, since the date is under "Upcoming Birthdays", otherwise I remind people 

3. an ex-coworker used to begin 3 mos. before her birthday flat-out reminding us that it was coming up. it's amazing what no self-esteem does for you. anyway, do you know anyone who pre-announces their birthdays? 

~ Yes, but only weeks in advance! 

4. what was your best birthday? why? 

~ This is my 46th birthday, I really can't remember the others, so I'll say this one 

5. what was your worst birthday? why? 

~ This is my 46th birthday, I really can't remember the others, so I'll say this one 

6. name your best birthday gift. 

~ My sister gave me shoes, boots, and a shirt last night, so I'll say that becaaaaaause this is my 46th birthday, I really can't remember the others 

7. name the best birthday gift you've gotten for someone else. 

~ I got a co-worker, whom I had the hots for, a blue-flamed Zippo lighter engraved with his name on it 

8. as i age, i value SLEEP as a priceless commodity. i didn't get any for my birthday, however. what do you want this year for your birthday? 

~ A certain phone call I've been hoping to receive 

~ Sunday Stealing

Six Word Saturday

~  Outback tonight for my birthday dinner

Saturday 9: If It Makes You Happy

Sheryl Crow is a breast cancer survivor and October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Please spread the word about early detection.

1) What's something that always makes you happy?

~ Those first few moments of the day when I wake up and yesterday's pains and tribulations have totally washed out of my mind, and really good food

2) In the lyrics, Sheryl refers to a poncho. How do you usually protect yourself from the rain? Poncho? Umbrella? Raincoat? Hat?

~ Only an umbrella - and that's only if there's a monsoon occurring, which seldom ever happens in Michigan

3) Early in her career, Sheryl made ends meet by singing commercial jingles, including one for McDonald's. When was the last time you visited The Golden Arches?

~ I think about a week ago, I wanted to try one of their pumpkin lattes. I'm glad I tried it, but don't need to try another. They've got great fries there though!

4) Sheryl rode a horse into the ring of a Wyoming rodeo and then sang. Have you ever been to a rodeo?

~ Nope

5) Sheryl lives outside of Nashville, which is known as Music City. What type of music do you listen to most often?

~ Depends on my mood. Right now I'm listening to classical in my car. I have a wide variety of favorite genres. It's easier to say what I don't listen to -rap and country

6) Crazy Sam is a massive Sheryl Crow fan, and is sure that the only reason why she and Sheryl aren't best friends is that they haven't met. What famous person do you think could be your BFF?

~ Oprah, I like her views and interest on spirituality and she's got great taste in the books she reads

7) Sheryl and cyclist Lance Armstrong were once engaged. Had they tied the knot, she would have become stepmother to his three children. Are you a step-parent, stepsibling or stepchild?

~ Nope

8) Sheryl has performed carols at the National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony in Washington DC. Have you ever visited our nation's capital?

~ Nope

9) Do you consider yourself easy going or do you have a fiery temperament?

~ Very easy going

~ Saturday 9

Friday 5 For October 25: ID Part 2

1. How familiar are you with the plants and trees in your area?

~ Not nearly as much as I'd like to be

2. How familiar are you with the wildlife in your area?

~ Same as my answer above

3. Can you name the makes and models of five of your friends’ cars without looking?

~ No! Definitely not!

4. How many of your co-workers’ spouses and kids can you name?

~ 0

5. If you had the radio on whatever station is playing current hits, how would you do at naming the songs and artists you heard?

~ Current hits? I'd be absolutely terrible! 

~ Friday 5

An Uncommon Hodgepodge

1. When it comes to good manners, what two top your list of most important?

~ 1) Driving responsibly and respectfully, 2) Common courtesy -being polite

2. Let's open a proverbial can of worms...Common Core.  Are you familiar with the term (talking education reform in the USA)?  If so, care to share your thoughts? In your opinion, what is one of the biggest issues schools (in your home country) face today?

~ I've never heard of Common Core. One of the biggest issues schools face is the lack of discipline

3. Name a celebrity whose fashion sense you admire and share why.

~ I really don't pay attention

4. How are you affected by the changing seasons?

~ I LOVE the changing seasons! My favorite is autumn. Spring refreshes me, summer pumps me up, autumn soothes me, winter tires me

5. Scariest book you've ever read?

~ The journals I've written have scared the beejeebers out if me!

6. What time of day are you most hungry? What's your go-to snack?

 ~ Most hungry at night because I have a tendency to go long periods of time without eating throughout the day. Go-to snacks: cereal, pop-tarts

7. Do you lean more towards being too needy or too independent? Which do you find harder to deal with in others?

 ~ I'd say I'm too independent - when you're 48, single and no family, independence just falls into being. I find neediness in others harder to deal with in others, when you're living your life on your own, and in your own timeframe, independence in others just falls right into line

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

  ~ My birthday is Sunday!

Saturday 9: Come To My Window

Watch the video here.

Melissa Etheridge is a breast cancer survivor and October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Please spread the word about early detection.

1) This song is about a woman passionate about love and willing to pursue it, no matter what "they say." Are you fearless when it comes to public opinion? Or do you worry about what "they" think of you?

~ Depends on what it is they are thinking about. Sometimes, no, I'm not so fearless!

2) Melissa's father was a high school teacher. Tell us about a teacher who had an impact on you.

~ Mr. Bill Secrest, my World Religions teacher, a very sweet, laid back guy. He would have a five minute silent meditation to start each class. During one of these silent meditations I was surprised to hear him read a paper I wrote for an assignment the week before! It was enlightening to him, I'm glad he liked it, but to hear my assignment being read during meditation was, well, just a wee bit unnerving! I was definitely proud of it though.

3) Melissa won a Grammy for this song. If you won a major award, where would you display it?

~ The bathroom, just for the "off-the-wall"ness of it!

4) Which TV game show do you think you'd do better on -- The Price Is Right or Wheel of Fortune?

~ Much better on The Wheel Of Fortune

5) Are you neat and organized?

~ I swear I thought I was, but where the heck did this mess come from? Oh, OK, I've always been a slob!

6) When was the last time you went more than a day without washing your hair?

~ This week

7) When you eat Chinese food, do you use chopsticks or a fork?

~ I wish I knew how to use chopsticks! I'm definitely a forker!

8) Are you a good cook?

~ I can follow a recipe!

9) We're having a party in your honor! Would you prefer a costume party, a bowling party or a pool party? 

~ Thanks for the party! I'd definitely prefer a costume party! I'll dress up as a flapper from the roaring 20's!

~ Saturday 9