Busy It Seems

Again I find my week disappearing without my having posted much.  I just don't know what on earth is filling up my days but filled they are.  I suppose it could be that I've got a new 1 year old in the dayhome and that totally takes my time in the day when he is here.  It could be that we are outside most of the day and therefore away from the computer.  Or it just might be that trying to get my daughter ready to go away for three weeks has kept me busy, not to mention tearing my hair out.  But I don't think it has to do with So You Think You Can Dance being on twice a week and now So You Think You Can Dance Canada starting the other day.  (How will I ever keep the two shows and all the contestants straight is a feat I'm not sure my poor overloaded brain is up to but we'll see).  And it certainly wouldn't be affected by Top Chef Canada having a Calgary chef that has made it to the top 4.  No, no I don't think it's that.  Whatever the case may be, my days are full as is my brain and it's hard to narrow anything down and then find the time to post.  Oh well.  Life is as life is.

But I did find a fun thing I wanted to share if you like memes and theme day posting.  The Bz House That Love Built has compiled an extensive list of a ton, and I do mean a ton, of memes that run on a daily, weekly and monthly basis all over the blogging world.  Take a peek over there.  You might just find a new meme or two that you'd like to participate in.  But don't you leave my Friday's Fave Five!  LOL.  Which reminds me, I better start working on that for tomorrow!  See you then.

Weekend Review

I'm joining in with my bloggy friend Karen at Over the Backyard Fence, for  "This weekend I...".  She's newly hosting so come on and join the party.

-visited with MIL at the hospital.  She is having a good last few days so that is wonderful to see.
-had a lovely Saturday morning sipping hot coffee and reading books and blogs
-spent my whole grocery budget at Costco.  I think I need to avoid that store for a bit
-cooked Tomato Curry Chicken.  Yum!
-took the dog on his first walk around the lake.  It took this long to finally get him there because it's been freezing outside and it's always colder around the lake.
-went to church
-finished this book, review coming, and started this one
-watched "Letters to Juliet" with my Younger Girl (16).  Sweet movie
-took Todd to the vet for his last puppy shots.  Took a handful of his homemade beef jerky treats that he loves but he still gave the vet a rough time.  And pee'd on his floor to boot.  Naughty boy!!!

"Who me?  I'm cute and innocent!"

-got a little catching up done on my "Read the Bible in a Year" plan.  I'm still not caught up but that much closer

How was your weekend?  Anything exciting or nice and mellow?

Birthday Random Dozen

It's Lid's birthday! Happy "Birfday", Lid! And her birthday request was that we would comment and leave a question for the Random Dozen. So all of today's questions are brought to you by her readers. Now there are no links provided so if you want to visit the writer of the question you can go 2nd Cup of Coffee and link through the comments. To join in on her birthday celebration, just visit the Random Dozen.

1. From "Men Are Dumb ....": If you had a theme song that played whenever you walked into a room full of people, what would it be? Now I'm not a theme song kind of gal, so though I've been thinking on this one for 2 days now, I could not come up with a one. Now I know as soon as I hit publish and can't get back to the computer, my mind will be flooded by a dozen of them.

2. From Pam of "Alert And Oriented x 4": Which of your shoes are your absolute favorite, and which are of the object of your most painful shoe-buyer's remorse? My favorites are my light beige, cork heeled leather sandals from Clark's. Even though they have a bit of heel they are so comfy and they're cute. Cute and comfort don't always go together, but I hit it with these ones. My shoe buyer's remorse? Teal colored, pointy toed cowboy boots. Bought for the cute factor, but only worn a few times. In my world there is not a lot of places to wear teal colored cowboy boots.

3. From Susanne of "Living to Tell the Story": Tell about your favorite birthday celebration that you've personally experienced. Oh look it's me! :v) Any birthday celebration that has my whole family there is my favorite. I can't really pick out a specific one that stands out above the others. We keep it sort of on the lower key side here and they all sort of meld together. When I was a kid, it was the usual neighborhood and school friend birthday parties with the games and hot dogs and cake. But what I remember most is my favorite birthday cake made by my mom. It was sponge cake but Mom baked it in cookie sheets so you got really thin layers. And there would be about 8 or 10 layers. With the best chocolate icing ever. She always used unsalted butter in the icing, I think that was her secret. But I'm telling you this stuff I could eat by the spoon. In fact I did. If there was left over icing, Mom would freeze it, but I always got in there and dug through it with a spoon and ate it frozen. It was especially good like that because it was cold and a slow chocolate melt would start on you tongue and continue for a minute. My mouth waters as I think of it. Yum. I miss those cakes. But as for the party itself? Pathetic I know but I'm sorta jamming out on my own question.

4. From Lori of "Just me and My Life": If you were a flavor of ice cream, which would you be? This is sorta like the song question. I don't know. Ideally, I 'd love to say something soothing or refreshing like a capuccino ice cream or a nice mint with a surprise of chocolate chunks but in reality I'd probably end up with a flavor with nuts.

5. Cindy Swanson of "Notes in the Key of Life" asks: Have you ever had a crush on a movie star? Who was it, and are you still crushing? When I was a kid it was Robby Benson. I saw absolutely every movie that came out with him in it.

Crushing now? No. I have my very own handsome guy now I call my Hubby.

6. Jill from "Jill Boyd's Place" inquires: Glasses or braces--if you had to wear one, which would it be? Seeing I've been cursing my glasses for the last 8 months, I'm going to say braces. They are temporary, whereas glasses are permanent usually.

7. Nel from "Fasteneau Facts" asks: If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be? I have definitely not traveled extensively in my life so this is sort of hard to answer. I have places of fantasy that I think I would like to live, places I've romanticized in my mind or from movies such as Tuscany or Santorini but I'm sure they've all got their issues once you're there. The thought of living in Hawaii draws me but I would totally miss the seasons. Reading Kathie's blog totally makes me want to move to Prince Edward Island and own a piece of Anne's Island. But I'm pretty happy living where I am. I have all four seasons, we have our winters eased with the warm chinook winds in the winter, I'm only an hour or so away from the mountains which I love.

8. Thena from "Patiently Waiting" wants to know: If money were no obstacle, what would be the perfect birthday gift to receive? A shiny, red Mustang convertible. Or a Mediterranean cruise. Yeah, that would be awesome. Well, you said money was no object.

9. From "Life Through Bifocals," LynnMarie asks: What is your favorite birthday meal? Anything I don't have to cook myself.

10. Debby at "Just Breathe" checks in with: Do you still send hand-written thank you notes? I love notecards and thank you cards so I do send them occasionally. I keep a nice stock of them in my drawer so they are handy when I need them.

11. Linda from "Mocha with Linda" poses this question: What is something you've done that you never thought you'd do? Get up and speak in front of people. Blog.

12. Jewel, my homegirl from Indiana who writes at "Musings from the World of Jewel," is very insistent that we answer this: Mount Rushmore honors four US Presidents: Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, and Roosevelt. If you could add any person to Mount Rushmore, who would you add and why? That's sort of hard to answer considering I'm not from the States and don't really know the history of Mount Rushmore.

8 Questions

Jerralea at Jerralea's Journey tagged me with an "8" meme. She asks 8 questions, I answer them, then tag 8 people and ask them 8 new questions. Sounds like fun.

So here's Jerralea's questions to me:

1. What was the first meal you ever prepared? It was way back when I was a young teen, probably junior high, and it was one of those Chef Boyardee Pizzas. I made it for my family. I don't think they even make those anymore, do they?

2. What is your favorite worship song? I don't know if I have a favorite. Different songs touch me at different times, my favorite today might change tomorrow, depending on where my head and heart are at. Right now though, I cannot get this one out of my heart:

3. If you could do any occupation, what would it be? This is a toughie. There are so many. Librarian, book store owner, ice cream taster, lip stick color namer.

4. What is your favorite flower? I love all sorts of flowers but my all time favorites are tulips and peonies.

5. Would you rather wear one pair of shoes all the time and switch purses, or only carry one purse and have different pairs of shoes? I love both! I'm stressed out deciding. but I would probably say, if forced to make a choice, that I'd rather switch out the purse. I love the purse and cannot resist.

6. Name one fashion fad you hope never comes back. Elephant ear pants (super flared), bustles, men wearing high heals circa Louis the 16th, tatooing and body piercing. Oh wait those last two are still here. Darn.

7. Would you rather handwrite in cursive or print? Definitely cursive. I'd rather type in cursive too, but I realize it's harder to read.

8. Would you rather see a bestselling movie, or read the book? That's another toughie. Wow, Jerralea. I'd probably rather read the book first to experience it in it's originality before Hollywood gets ahold of it and changes it up.

That was fun, Jerralea! My 8 tags are: Faith, Sandra, Ellen, Shalee, Karen, Barbara, Danielle, Melanie and anyone else who would like to play it. Just let me know in the comments if you're doing it. :v)

And my questions:

1. What is your greatest joy?

2. What do you do when you're bored.

3. Are you a sweet or salty snacker?

4. Beach or mountains?

5. Favorite things on a burger.

6. Would you rather have someone else do your laundry, clean your house or do your yardwork?

7. Are you a one book at a time person or have many on the go at once?

8. Favorite scripture or quote.

Random Dozen

It's Random Dozen day at Linda's. Click on the button and give her a visit and join us in the random weekly meme. Thanks for hosting Linda.

1. Describe the best sandwich in the world, according to you. The best sandwich is the Monte Cristo sandwich done at the Lodge Hotel here in my town. I have never had one that tastes as good. Anywhere. And goodness knows I've tried in a lot of restaurants in lots of different cities. Basically it is a sandwich that starts with a slice of bread with ham and cheddar cheese slice, then add another slice of bread, then turkey and mozzarella cheese slice (some use swiss cheese) then another slice of bread. The whole thing is dipped in egg and grilled until the egg is cooked and everything is hot and melted. Yum, my mouth waters as I think about it. I don't know what the chef here does to make it so much better than anyone else's but it could be the real sliced ham and real turkey as opposed to the sandwich sliced, chipped and pressed stuff. It could be the brand of cheddar and mozza slices or some spice in the the egg dip. Or the fact that it is grilled not deep fried. And no powdered sugar comes near the one here. I don't know but it is to die for! And around these parts we eat it with apple sauce.

2. Which inspires you more: a good conversation, a song, a book or movie? I can be inspired by all of those depending on the time and situation but usually a good book is what I get the most from.

3. What is your favorite board game? I love Double Series. It's a fun family game made even more fun if you play with a partner in teams. It involves a board and cards and is also manufactured under the Sequence by another company but I prefer the Double Series board. Our whole family had a year long, guys against the girls, marathon competition. Every time anyone got together they played and score was kept for the whole year. Tons of fun.

4. As you grow older, are you more or less patient with small children? I think as I've grown older and wiser and more experienced with kids, I've gotten more patient. When I was younger I had too many expectations and pressures from myself and outside sources . Now I'm more relaxed.

5. Name one item you never let yourself run out of. Toilet paper. Never, ever do I run out. A household with 6 dayhome preschool children and no toilet paper is what nightmares are made of . This question is so ironic right now because for the first time in my married life I am down to a last lonely roll and I'm panicking about getting to Costco tonight! I never have a "last" roll. I'm not sure what happened, I must be slipping.

6. Do you agree with Tennyson's assertion, "'Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all?" Yes, even though you may "lose" someone you've loved in one way or another and it is very painful I cannot imagine going through a life of never loving anyone or being loved.

7. Name one national treasure or monument that you have visited. Seeing I'm from Canada, I'll answer Canadian. And with that I'll say Banff National Park and Lake Louise. Stunning, breathtaking, beautiful doesn't begin to describe these areas of the Rocky Mountains.

8. Which is more painful, to be disappointed in someone else or to be disappointed in yourself? I think myself. I find it easier to forgive others than I do myself.

9. What makes your kitchen uniquely yours? The great cooking? LOL. Seriously, if it has to be an item, I would say the picture of the last supper that my Father in Law made out of copper. It's lovely and the only other like it that I know of belongs to my Sister in Law and hers is differently framed and colored so I'd say that is unique.

10. Are you a crafty person? LOL. Next question.

11. What is your favorite traditional picnic or bbq (cookout) food? To me a picnic and a bbq are two different things all together but if I have to pick one food that could go at both? Potato chips. What's a bbq or picnic without them? But if it's a "real" food that's made, I'd have to say homemade macaroni salad for a picnic and grilled steaks for a bbq.

12. Name one leisurely activity you enjoyed over Labor Day Weekend. Sleeping in.

Random Dozen

It's Wednesday so that means it's time for Linda's Random Dozen. Join in with us Random folk over here.


1. What is your favorite Mexican dish? I've only been to a Mexican restaurant a few times in my life so I don't have a huge repetoire of Mexican dishes in my experience but I love, love, love refried beans, guacamole, salsa and carnitas. I'll never turn down a quesadilla. I love my homemade burritos but who knows how authentic those are.

2. When you were a kid, did you get started on your homework right away after school, or did you procrastinate? When I was a kid I don't remember but I know in high school and college I was a huge procrastinator. Huge. It seemed I worked better under pressure and there was many a night where I was pulling almost all nighters trying to finish papers that were due in a couple of days.

3. What is your favorite store for home furnishings? For actual furniture I don't have a favorite but for decorating stuff, gotta love Home Sense.

4. When you were young, did you like school lunches? They didn't serve school lunches at my elementary or junior high. Elementary I always went with a lunch kit and thermos. I don't especially remember weather I liked them or not but I do remember many a broken thermos. Junior High I always went home for lunch and high school I remember the cafeteria but don't remember the food so much as the wonderful lady who ran it.

5. Is religion a crutch? I suppose religion and religious acts without a relationship with God is a crutch but relationship with Jesus is something that depends on recognizing one's need for the Savior and moving past that point into an actual ongoing, growing, thriving relationship with Him. A relationship with Jesus is never a crutch but life giving.

6. In your region, what is the "big" (most popular in the community or state) high school sport? High school sport? I would say basketball or football though rugby is gaining popularity both with girls and guys.

7. Do you consider yourself rich? Rich in family, rich in friendships. Rich monetarily compared to a lot of others in this world, absolutely. We've never gone hungry or missed a meal, never not had our home or a bed to sleep in. Rich compared to CEO's, Hollywood, or highpaying professions, no. But money never buys true happiness.

8. Which of these would you have the best chance for success in administering:
A) CPR
B) Heimlich Maneuver
C) Changing a flat tire

Definitely CPR and Heimlich Maneuver. Know how to do both? Change a flat. That's what car clubs are for.

9. Which dance would you prefer to learn & why:
A) Salsa
B) Hip Hop
C) Waltz
D) Swing

Probably at my age and fitness level the waltz would be the one to go for. My hips would definitely seize if I tried the salsa and I would probably kill myself in the Swing. Hip Hop? I would just get laughed at.

10. What's the worst news you've ever delivered to someone? I had to tell a family who had gone for a bite to eat in the hospital cafeteria that they had to get back to their father's room because their father would be passing in the next few minutes. That was hard, awkward and heartbreaking even though they knew it was going to be happening.

11. Name something you learned in college that had nothing to do with classes or academics. I learned that getting addicted to and eating at Taco Time everyday will soon show up on one's hips.

12. New variation on an old question: If there's a song in your head that just won't get out, what is your favorite (or most repeated) line in that song? I usually don't have songs running to my head. There is too much other "stuff" that I need to get through the day in there crowding it out. I tend to more run conversations over and over in my head. Which is weird. But that's me.

Seven Things

Over the last few weeks a couple of new to me bloggers have given me a couple of really nice awards. I always like to meet a new blogger and what a way to meet them.

The Beautiful Blogger Award from Apple Blossom who posts over at 4 the Love of Books. You are supposed to name 7 interesting things about yourself and then pass it to 7 other bloggers.



The versatile blogger award from Crystal at Crystalized Reflections. (Don't you just love the name of her blog? Very witty.) This one is share 7 things you may not know about me.

Thank you ladies! What a very nice surprise when you gave me these!

The questions are similar so I'm going combine them, though after having blogged for four years I think I've pretty much said everything different, interesting, weird about me. You all know it all. LOL.

1. I hate horror shows. They stick with me for a really, really long time. Even if the premise of the show is good, the scary stuff will all of a sudden rise up and get me even years later. Hate that. So I don't watch them.

2. I love to cook but hate to bake. I will take cooking a full course meal and enjoy it over baking something simple anyday. I don't know why. Probably because I have way more success with the cooking than the baking.

3. I will bike ride for hours on end but I won't run to the end of the block. I hate running for the sake of running. Always have, even as a teen/young adult I'd rather have played hours of hard tennis against a male competitor than to run anywhere. And I don't see that changing anytime soon.

4. I have discovered since blogging that I love taking pictures. And I want to take a course to learn how to work our "big boy" real camera. Off the automatic setting. Like a real photographer.

Whoo boy, I'm running out of "interesting" things here.

5. My husband and I have totally different taste in scents. Which is really interesting when it comes to wearing fragrance. 'Cause he wants to me to wear scents that make my eyeballs cross and literally make the backs of my eyes hurt. And well, the stuff I just love he says stinks. So we have fragrance power struggles.

6. I love watching sports. Well team sports anyway. I refuse to watch even two minutes of golf. My husband detests it. That also makes for interesting remote power struggles when it comes to playoff time.

7. I want to some day own a cherry red Ford Mustang convertible. Right now I drive a dark green Plymouth van. I think I have a ways to go.

And now the part I find really hard with awards is passing them on. All the blogs I read are worthy of both awards, otherwise I wouldn't read them, right? But in the spirit of the award, I will name a couple of blogs for each one:

The Beautiful Blogger Award: Rachelle at Livin' Life on Bixby Avenue. I just met Rachelle not long ago and we are both child care providers. But her blog is chock full of absolutely beautiful garden photos. Love it.

Jientje at Heaven is in Belgium. Jientje blogs from Belgium and take the most breathtaking photos. I love her blog. It's like visiting Belgium without really going there.

Anne at Nikkipolani. Again, such a talented photographer. Her blog is an absolute breath of beauty!

Now for the Versatile Blogger Award: Karen at Over the Backyard Fence. I love Karen. We have so much in common she could be my long lost twin. I love reading about her life in Colorado.

Faith at Gold in the Clouds. From family to hiking in the Adirondacks to recipes to matters of faith she truly is a versatile blogger.

Random Dozen

It's Random Dozen time. Join us over at Linda's, who's in Lost withdrawl, and have some fun answer her questions. Her questions for this week are here.

1. Would you rather host a party or simply attend a party? A combination of both. I love to host dinners but I don't go as all out with decorations as Linda did with her Lost party. Oh my word, she was creative. Now that kind of party I love to attend. :v)

2. Tell us about the most memorable party you've been to. The one where I met my hubby. 'Nuff said.

3. What is one thing you hope for in the after-life? With Jesus, the hope of going to heaven is a promise and certainity for those who believe and may I say I can hardly wait to meet Him face to face. So I think I would say I hope to see all people I've known and all my family, including those I have only met once, there along with me.

4. What do you enjoy most about sunshine? That I don't have to get up in the dark and the warmth, shedding those big winter clothes.

5. When you attend a bridal/baby shower, do you prefer to bring your own gift or chip in with others to buy a larger gift? I prefer to bring my own gift. Do I have to say why? Okay. It's because I live on a budget. And if I know a shower is coming up, I scour certain stores for great sales and I can usually come up with a really great gift relatively inexpensively whereas with a chip in a certain amount of dollars is expected to be thrown in. There now you know about my frugal side.

6. Would you rather have a FREE week of having your house cleaned or all of your meals cooked for you and your family? Definitely having my house cleaned! Are you offering, Lidna? I'll let you choose the week and keep the coffee pot on!

7. What song describes your mood today? Oh dear, Lidna, you always stump me on the song questions because I'm just not that into knowing names of songs anymore. I don't know, is there a song out there that talks about wanting to be on a beach somewhere doing nothing or hiking a mountain trail instead of working?

8. What is something you received for your own bridal shower/wedding that you still own or use? (If you are not married, feel free to sub a gift you received a long time ago.) LOL. I still have the Tupperware devilled egg container that, yes, I still actually use once in a while in spite of it's horribly ugly color. LOL.


9. Your favorite flavor of ice cream is? I love coffee flavors, but I also like banana fudge or chocolate chip mint.

10. When was the last time you felt "tested?" Story of my life this last 9 months.

11. "[Fill in the blank] is a food that once I start eating I find really hard to stop." Potato chips! Cows caramel candy! Popcorn! Caesar Salad! The list could go on and on! Which is why my body is in the state that it is in today.

12. "-----" is the best motivation. Encouragement and mercy.

Random Dozen

Today's Random Dozen is all about the "one". If you'd like to join in or read other's answers then visit our lovely hostess, Linda, at 2nd Cup of Coffee.

1. What is one really fast, know-by-heart "go-to" meal to fix in a pinch? Other than Pizza 73, you mean?

Paprikash Krupmpli (Paprika Potatoes)

- 1 sausage ring, sliced in bite sized pieces ( I usually use Ukranian sausage, but any good sausage works, like garlic, keilbassa, even a package of hot dogs if that's all you have)
-enough potatoes to satisfy your family, peeled and cut into bite sized chunks
-1 medium onion, chopped
-1 green pepper, seeded and diced
-1 - 2 Tbsp. sweet paprika
-1 Tbsp oil

In a large sauce pot or small dutch oven, heat oil. Cook sliced sausage and onion until onion is almost tender, stirring so that the meat doesn't burn. Add green pepper and continue cooking stirring occasionally until onion is transparent and tender. Add potatoes and paprika and stir. Add enough water to just barely cover the potatoes. Bring to a gentle boil and cook until potatoes are done. About 3/4 of the way through the cooking you can give a little taste to the dish and add salt to taste at this point. Adding it earlier will make the dish too salty as the sausage will release some salt as it cooks. Serve with fresh bread. My kids like to mash their potatoes in their dishes so that it absorbs the sauce, my hubby likes to leave his chunky. This dish usually takes me 20 minutes tops.

2. What is one item you won't leave home without. (Purse and license do not count.) My cell phone.

3. Where is one place you never tire of visiting? Locally, the river bottom or lake.

4. Share one factoid of your family's history. My parents came to Canada during the 1956 Hungarian Revolution. Something I didn't know about until recently was that they were dodging bullets as they escaped. UPDATE: Well, I just looked up the word factiod and it doesn't mean what I thought which I thought was a fancy way of saying "fact". It actually means "something resembling a fact, unverified, often invented, information given credibility because of repetition. Now that just changes the whole picture, now, doesn't it? Because what I mentioned as my factoid is, in fact, a fact. I have no idea about a factoid and my family history. So there ya go, thanks to Linda, I just learned the real meaning of a word today.

5. Complete this sentence: "Once upon a time I ...." I wanted to be a nun. In grade 5 I think. Yeah, really. One of my favorite teachers was nun. That very quickly changed to stewardess when I found out I'd have to hack off my hair for under the habit.

6. If you could win a one year's supply of anything, what would it be? Gas, please. Or groceries. Groceries would be good. Barring those two? Starbucks. A year of Starbucks sounds pretty good to me!

7. "One quirky thing you may not know about me is ...." I like a cool pillow to sleep so I'll flip it over all night. When I first lay down I always, always flip my pillow over immediately from top to bottom. I don't know why.

8. You have one dollar in your pocket. What will you buy? One dollar? Can anything be bought for a dollar anymore? Hmmm. Probably a bag of Miss Vickie's. And probably the Lime and Black Pepper or the Sweet Chili and Sour Cream flavor.

9. "One thing that always makes me laugh is ...." I'm having a sad week this week so you know, I'm really having a hard time coming up with something for this. Now isn't that sad?

10. What is one thing you could do today to help yourself reach a personal goal? Uhm, probably setting a personal goal.

11. What is one thing you could do today to bless someone else? Going and visiting my former neighbor who now lives in as assisted care home.

12. What is one thing you're looking forward to soon? The long weekend and getting the remainder of my flowers planted.

The Week in Words

The Week in Words meme has a new home and it's with Barbara at Stray Thoughts. I know Barbara will enjoy hosting this weekly and will do a fantastic job as she is a huge lover of quotes. Please pop over there and join in sharing your favorite quotes from what you've read in the last week.

Here are the one's that struck me from my readings over the last two weeks (because I missed the one before).

1.

"Life experience would be a great thing to have if you didn't have to experience it first."

quoted by the character Ethan in "the Right Call"
by Kathy Herman
pg. 208

Well, isn't that the truth. LOL.

2.

"Everyone's trying to make me out to be a hero or something. I'm not. I just wanted to do the right thing. I mean, if right is right, it's right all the time, not just when it's convenient."

Ethan again in "the Right Call".
pg. 372

'Nuff said!

3.

"Manners always provide the automatic, the healthy, the kindly, the later-to-be-welcomed restraint. They make it possible to resume the conversation. They allow for the possibility of a civilized exchange of views rather than a childish airing of sentiment. They allow for the fact that what you think first thing in the grumpy and uncaffeinated morning may not be quite the same as what you think an hour later."

Why Manners Matter - The Case for Civilized Behavior in a Barbarous World by Lucinda Holdforth pg. 83

Oh, how I agree. My Mom always tried to teach me by remembering my manners, I am saved so many times from blowing my top at something and then regretting it later and it allows me to think how to convey something without losing my cool. I'm still however, working this out on a regular basis. LOL.

Random Dozen

It's Wednesday so that means it's the day we all get together and join our lovely hostess, Linda from 2nd Cup of Coffee, and answer her questions of the week. Join us for some random fun.

1. What was the last thing about which you procrastinated? Oh my. This is one of my issues. I am a huge procrastinator. What haven't I procrastinated? Ok. Let's see. I'm supposed to be writing a blurp about the area I am in charge of at church. And it's pretty self explanatory so I don't quite know what to write, so I've been putting it off for weeks and pretending I never did see the email asking us to do that. I know. I'm bad.

2. How long does it take you to fall asleep, and do you sleep through the night? I'm usually a quick faller asleeper. That is unless someone slips me a caffeinated coffee too late in the day. But even when I'm worried about something I can usually get to sleep pretty quick. And I usually sleep through the night unless the dog is hogging my side of the bed or someone opened the heating vents in the room. (I like my room on the cold side).

3. Which decade would you choose to exemplify your favorite fashion styles? Oh Lidna, fashion and I, well we just never seemed to connect. I have no idea how to answer this one. As long as something looks good, fits great and gives me confidence, I'm good.

4. What is your personal best dish to feed a crowd? Bbq Beef on big fresh buns. Throw in homemade potato salad and fresh veggies and dip. Easy and yummy.

5. Are you an impulse shopper? What was the last thing you bought on impulse? Depends on my mood. Last thing I bought on impulse was Dead Sea minerals exfoliating face mask. Now I'm looking at the dark brown muck in the jar and wondering whatever possessed me. Oh yeah, it said my skin would be lovely and nourished. Well, we'll see I guess.

6. What is one wish you have for your own funeral? I've never really thought about it. I think I would like the gospel expressed somehow in it.

7. If it's true that joy is in found in the simple things in life, what does your joy look like today? Today my joy would be bright and cheery and red and would look like almost a dozen red tulips sitting pretty on my mantle.

8. What is your favorite type of bread? Homemade. Warm with real butter melting on it.

9. What trait do you fear developing the most? (Laziness, greediness, grumpiness, etc.) Well seeing as I already have a handle on procrastination, I think it would be cynicism. I don't want to become an old, cynical, unhappy person finding no joy in anything.

10. What trait would you like most to develop? I would like to be more even tempered. I would like to genuinely listen to people better.

11. Which room in your house best reflects your personality? Why? I don't know. Maybe my living room. I like to think it's homey and inviting and comfortable. I hope I make people feel at home and comfortable and invited. It's got my personal touches of things I love like pictures of my family, little birds and books. It's neutral with splashes of color here and there. I think my personality is sort of like that.

12. How do you maintain balance in your life regarding, work, family, church, other organizations and activities, and blogging? I'm probably never perfectly balanced. I usually find I performing a fine juggling act. Over the years I have learned to say no. Which was a huge thing for me. But even now, I have to constantly re-evaluate and take a look at what is going on and readjust. I have to constantly ask myself what are my priorities and shuffle things.

Whew, some of those were hard. Who'd of thought I'd get hung up on fashion and home style questions. Oh, yeah, me. I totally could have predicted that.

Random Dozen

Join us over at Linda's for this week's Random Dozen. She's up to more questioning fun.

1. Ever had any run-ins with the "library police?" Well, I've never been chased down for the money, but one time I did owe the library about $48 in overdue DVD fines. It was when they first started renting DVD's and the fine for them was over $3 a day per DVD. I took out about 6 of them and then promptly forgot I had them. Yeah that was a shocker. Now it's a paltry 35 cents a day fine. I have by the way, returned all those DVD's and paid the insane fine. I didn't rent DVD's for a long time after that.

2. Do you have a special organizational plan and place for wrapping paper, gift bags, etc., or do you just purchase whatever you need as you give gifts? I hate having to run out for gift wrap or bags at the last minute so I keep a stash on hand. Usually 2 of each size bag and a couple rolls of wrapping paper, one very feminine and one that could be masculine or feminine. And varied colored tissue papers.

3. Have you ever been in (first-hand witness) a natural disaster? Nope can't say that I have. I do remember Mount St. Helen's though and exactly where I was and how the ash was covering everything, yes, here in Southern Alberta. It was something.

4. What's your favorite Barry Manilow song? Oh Lid, how do I ever narrow it down? I've loved Barry Manilow songs since I was a teen (although lately, I can't say I'm too nuts about some of his statements). But I loved singing with his very singable sing along songs. I can't name just one but I'd say my top 3 are "Mandy", "I write the Songs" and "Weekend in New England". Now I have to go plug my curling iron in so I can sing along.



5. What's the best costume you've ever worn? I'm so not into dress up stuff and don't every remember really being into it. My Godmom, used to make us some pretty nice ones, old fashioned princesses, stuff like that. I remember gathering my dad's workclothes together one year and calling myself a hobo. LOL. And I had a pretty nifty, sparkly genie costume one time in a school play. My abs were a tad flatter at that time than they are at this moment.

6. Which do you use more often, the dictionary or the thesaurus? A little of both when I need it.

7. What's your favorite breakfast food? Bacon, baby, bacon. With eggs, with pancakes, with waffles, with toast. I don't care. As long as bacon is the main attraction! Unfortunately, I only let myself have it once in a blue moon. Usually I have yogurt with Omega 3 granola or oatmeal with brown sugar and milk.

8. Have you ever purchased anything from an infomercial? Sigh. Yes. Sigh again.

9. Have you ever crawled through a window? Hasn't everybody? What I want to know is: Has anyone ever got stuck in a window they were crawling through. Now that would bring some interesting answers. LOL.

10. Do you believe in love at first sight? Not sure on this one.

11. How many pairs of jeans do you own? Up until about a month ago only 2. Now all of a sudden I have 5. They must all of a sudden been breeding behind the clothes doors or something. Nothing near what I hear some people own but that's quite a few at one time for me.

12. If someone were going to bake a cake to honor/represent you, what would it be? (Think creatively, like Duff and Crew on "Ace of Cakes.") Oh Lidna, again. Creative and baking do not go in the same sentence when it comes to me. My brain just does not think that way. And I don't watch that show.

Random Dozen ` Plinko Edition

It's the Plinko Edition of Random Dozen. Join us at 2nd Cup of Coffee for some random plink fun. Linda gives us a definition of "plink" just in case we weren't sure:

"Plinking refers to informal target shooting done at non-traditional targets such as tin cans, glass bottles, and balloons filled with water." Plinko is also a carnival game we play at Oneighty, but pot-luck shots fits this meme better, I think.

So here are your random plinko questions lined up in a row just like tin cans:

Well the only Plinko I know is the one on "The Price is Right" and there is a money pay off with that one but I'll give this my best shot, Linda! Get it, best "shot". "Shot- targets". Yeah, ahem. Moving on.

1. How old is the oldest pair of shoes in your closet? I would have to say that would be my great big winter boots that I used to wear when we'd go toboganning with the kids. Since I rarely wear them there's been no need to get rid of them. But they are there if I ever get the urge to once again get nostalgic and throw myself down a steep snow covered hill on a little piece of wood with no steering mechanism. So all that to say about 10 years old or so.

2. Did you buy Girl Scout cookies this year? If so, what variety? No, the girl's haven't been around as yet. Is it that season already? Do they even go door to door anymore?

3. Do you know how to ballroom dance? If not, would you like to? No, but I can do a mean polka! I haven't been to a dance in many a year, but I would love to learn the real ballroom dancing. Although the Latin ones at my age and body type would not be pretty and you wouldn't catch me dead in the outfits, but the more traditional ones I would love to know how to do.

4. Were you a responsible child/teenager? For the most part. I had a bad year where I lost my head and I've always had a wee bit of an issue with procrastination but being the first born and having European born parents who lived, ate and breathed responsibility, I think I was pretty responsible.

5. How many of this year's Oscar-nominated movies did you see? All of one: The Blindside. And it was awesome. Sandra Bullock was worthy of the her Oscar win. The others I really have no desire to see. Oh, I did see Julie and Julia where Meryl Streep was nominated. Hmmm, she really could have won for her portrayal too.

6. If you're going to have a medical procedure done, such as having blood drawn, is it easier for you to watch someone else having the procedure done or have it done yourself? Having blood drawn on or someone else doesn't bother me unless it was my kids when they were little. That was hard. One time when my oldest was about 15 months old she had to be IV'd and they wanted to put it in her foot. I wouldn't let them but they wanted me to hold her down while they IV'd her hand. I told them no way and had to leave the room and had a mini meltdown. Her Dad stayed with her and then I swooped in to offer all the hugs, kisses and comfort.

7. What is your favorite day of the week and why? Saturday because it is truly the only day that is mine. I can sit, with coffee in hand, read, blog, watch all my cooking shows that have been recorded over the week. It's the only day where, until the teens pull themselves out of bed, that I have some time totally to myself. So I savor the Saturday mornings.

8. Do you miss anyone right now? This kid:

Man I miss my oldest girl. It doesn't get any easier not having her around even though it will be going on 2 years that she's been gone this summer. But she's coming home for a week or so in the middle of the month. I'm so excited!

9. Do hospitals make you queasy? Not really. Out of my element maybe, but not queasy.

10. At which store would you like to max-out your credit card. Not that you ever would, you responsible person, you. LOL. Well, I'd sure give it a great shot at the Home Sense store, which I think is sorta like a T.J. Maxx if I can tell by the commercials, or I think I can do a pretty good job at the Williams Sonoma store too. It's probably a good thing we don't have either one in my city and I have to go to the big city to find them, so I only get there about once a year.

11. Are you true to the brand names of products/items? Depends on the item. Of some things I am adamant on the brand name and others I buy whatever is on sale.

12. Which is more difficult: looking into someone’s eyes when you are telling someone how you feel, or looking into someone’s eyes when he/she is telling you how he/she feels? Wow, this is a hard question. I had to really think about what I do. I think for me it's harder to look into someone's eyes when they are telling me how they feel. Maybe it has to do with a control thing, where if it's me doing the talking I'm in control and I usually can communicate how I feel, but if it's the other person telling me, I don't know what's coming and therefore I feel more vulnerable? I don't know.

So there ya go. Do I win the money? :v)

The Week in Words

Melissa over at Breath of Life hosts a weekly carnival called The Week in Words. It's all about sharing quotes from our readings from the past week that have spoken to us or touched us in some way. The only requirement is that they be words you read. I think Melissa is taking a bit of a blogging break right now but I still wanted to do this because I love me some quotes and I think it's a great place to just write them down somewhere.

I saw this quote over at Gold in the Clouds. It really spoke to me because I have some major decisions to make that may change my career after providing child care for 20 years. But, as you can imagine changing careers after 20 years is pretty darn scary and is full of questioning and wondering. It's been really hard and I'm afraid to do the wrong thing, sorta the jumping out of the fry pan into the fire kind of fear.

"Faith isn't the ability to believe long and far into the future. It's simply taking God at His Word and taking the next step."

Joni Erickson Tada

I've been reading this awesome book called "Unexplainable -Pursuing a Life Only God Can Make Possible" (link is in my sidebar). It's been taking me forever because it is one of those books where there are so many gold nuggets that it is full of my underlining and notes and thoughts all over the pages. This week I started a chapter on God-given Passion. It is speaking about when so many people today are just going through the motions of life that people with passion stand out & make a difference. The first sentence started with this quote:

"Catch on fire with enthusiasm, and people will come for miles to watch you burn".

John Wesley quoted in Unexplainable pg 199

It sorta made me laugh because I know he is talking about people being drawn to enthusiasm but my mind sorta first thought with today's voyeuristic world, people enjoy watching others "crash and burn" as evidenced by the profusion of reality tv. LOL. I guess that is where my mind tends to go now with the above mentioned career decision. But when I read it in the correct context that the John Wesley meant, I totally understand what he is saying. I am the same way. I love being around people with passion and enthusiasm. It makes life so much more fun and gives purpose. And usually people with passion and enthusiasm and purpose stir that within others too. And I want to be one of those people. I want to be enthusiastic and full of passion for life and for Jesus. So I love this quote by John Wesley.

Any quotes you'd like to share that stood out to you in your reading this week?

Random Dozen

Linda's getting all St. Patricky and green on us for this March Random Dozen. To join in visit her at 2nd Cup of Coffee.

1. Do you prefer even or odd numbers? Any particular reason? What an odd question! :v) Until you asked I didn't even realize I did but I would say I've always liked even. I have absolutely no idea why.

2. On a scale of 1-10, with 1 being "not at all" and 10 being Carly Simon-worthy, how vain are you? I used to be more vain when I was young, I know that for sure. Where I am on the scale now? I'm not sure how to answer. I'll have to ask someone else in the morning.

3. Among these Irish stereotypes, with which do you identify most closely? Talkative, Proud, Inquisitive, Love to party, Hot-tempered I definitely gravitate towards the talkative. Although I have been called fiesty which is probably a nice way of telling me I have a wee bit of temper.

4. How lucky do you consider yourself? Not lucky but blessed.

5. What is the subject of your favorite post that you've written? Oh, Lidna, you know I have a really hard time with questions that ask me to narrow things down to one, but I think the one about an era ending when all my kids finished elementary school is one of them and this one about stepping out and this one about growing.

6. Describe March weather where you live in three words. I can do it in one: unpredictable.

7. How apt are you at detecting blarney when you hear it? (Smooth talk, flattery) Depends who's dishing it and what it's about.

8. How "green" are you, environmentally speaking? We recycle all the usuals, plastics, paper, cardboard, tin, glass, milk cartons. I don't however compost, don't have an electric car and do I dare admit I let the water run while I brush my teeth? And don't get me started on the crazy so called environmentally friendly light bulbs they are forcing us to use. Can't stand them. And how environmentally friendly can they really be when they contain mercury and you can't just throw them in the garbage and you need to dispose of them like hazardous products? Me thinks someone is making some money off that venture and are giving us a bunch of blarney.

9. What is your favorite song this week? I'm not really into listening to music as of yet this week.

10. You are walking along and see a coin on the ground. What denomination does it have to be before you will stop to pick it up? Protestant. LOL. Just kidding. I'll pick up any coin.

11. Complete the sentence: "Every time I look outside my window ...." I first look at the sky. What can I say. I'm drawn to clouds and sky.

12. What was the #1 song on the day you were born? See this site to find out. "Are You Lonesome Tonight" by Elvis Presley. Now I tried it on your life's theme song on the day you turn 18 and it was "Le Freak" by Chic. Put the two together and how depressing is that to have as a life theme song. Good thing I don't order my life after these things.

Random Dozen

Linda's posted the last of the February Random Dozen's. Join in for some fun.

1. Have you ever fired a gun or shot a bow and arrow? Not unless you count Nerf guns and bows.

2. Do you know where your childhood best friends are? I didn't have a best friend that I went all through childhood with. I had lots of friends but not really one that was a "bosom best best friend" in the Anne of Green Gables sense. And as far as where they are now, most I don't know. One is a pastor's wife here in town, another I think lives in Toronto and is involved in the who acting scene there, another is a dentist in another city. I guess if I was on Facebook I'd probably find out but I really have no desire to get on facebook.

3. Do you usually arrive early, late, or on time? My European parents always taught me to be a few minutes early. And I always was. That is until I had children. It sorta went downhill from there. Now I am always it seems, running barely on time or a few minutes late. And I hate that because it produces stress.

4. Are you more of a New York or California type? I don't even know how to answer that. I'm more of a smaller city girl. I like visiting big cities but have no desire whatsoever to live in one. So then I'd have to answer if it was a smaller city in California then there, but then I'm also a four seasons kind of gal. I can't imagine not having snow in winter or the crispness and colors of fall or the chance to absolutely marvel at spring flowers pushing up through the snow as the days get warmer.

5. Do you have a special ring tone? Just a standard choice right out of the phone for phone calls and Marc Anthony's "I Need to Know" for text messages.

6. What is your favorite type of chip? Chips are my downfall. Love plain with dip, but I think either bbq or dill pickle are my faves.

7. Best comedy you've ever seen is .... I like my comedy's clean so it's a real chore finding one that nowadays will fit the bill, but a couple of my all time favorites are "Cool Runnings" and "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" and "While You Were Sleeping". Anytime I need a good laugh I put either one of these on.

8. Have you ever cut your own hair? To quote Dr. Phil, "How'd that work for ya?" Only a slight trim on my bangs. I can't stand when it starts to hang in my eyes and that always happens before it's time for the scheduled cut. It's alright. I don't do anything major.

9. If you were going to have an extreme makeover, would you rather it be about your house or your personal self? I probably need it more than the house, but the personal self one involves sweat and work and discipline and needles and surgery, so I'll say house.

10. Are you allergic to anything? The oil in oranges peels makes me break out in between my fingers in hot, itchy, teeny tiny blister stuff. So I have to peel oranges with a spoon and only one at a sitting. If it involves more than one orange, I need to call in the troops for help.

11. Why is it so hard to change? I'm assuming your asking change our flaws. Because it usually involves admitting we're wrong, self denial and work. And that's all I'm gonna say about that.

12. One last question dedicated to February love: CS Lewis said, "To love is to be vulnerable." Please share one example of that assertion or share any thought you'd like to about this topic. That is deep for this early in the a.m. for me, but I will say being vulnerable is scary, it means I am not in control. And I have issues with the whole control thing. Which loops me back to question 11 which I want to avoid. So it's a wrap for February's Random Dozen. LOL.

Random Dozen - Olympic Edition

Today Linda is giving a nod to the Olympics going on right now in beautiful Vancouver, Canada. Go Canada! Sorry just had to throw that in there. Here's her explanation of today's Random Dozen:

"Although this begins with a salute to the Olympics, you'll notice about half-way through these questions that I turn the corner and go off on another path as fast as a luge rounding a bend. Hence the name: Random. "

Head over to 2nd Cup of Coffee to join in.

1. If you could compete in one Olympic event (not necessarily winter sports) what would it be? It's funny you should ask, Lidna. We were just talking about this at home. My choice would be the Ski Jump. There is just something about pointing the ski's downhill and building up speed and then straightening up and soaring through the air. There is that moment where they just hang there, suspended it seems, defying gravity, that I think must be an incredibly fantastic feeling. It just looks so peaceful and lovley with the snow falling and the trees rushing by looking out over the scenery in front of you with nothing under your feet. That is until gravity takes over and you come thudding back to earth. But for that suspended moment it must be worth the insanity of throwing yourself off that jump.

2. Do remember a specific Olympic moment from the past? There are lots and lots but one of my favorites are not necessarily for the medal that was one but for the sportsmanship displayed in the hotbed of competition. I remember in the Turin Olympics one of Canadian cross country skiers, Sarah Renner, near the end of race breaking a pole and a Norweigan coach that was on the sidelines waiting for his own skier running up and handing her his own pole. She went on to win a silver medal. That was an awesome moment of sportsmanship I'll never forget. Canadians sent the man 5 tonnes of Canadian Maple Syrup as a thank you. I'm not kidding. Five tonnes. :v)

3. Have you ever known anyone who competed in the Olympics? One of my kid's junior high teachers competed in one of the summer Olympics. There have been other's from around here but none I've known personally.

4. If everyday activities were Olympic-worthy, which activity would you have a gold medal in? I make a mean cup of coffee in record time, I can eat the best under the table, and I whine with the best of them. But I like to think I could read my way to a gold.

5. Do you know anything about your ethnic heritage? My relatives are from Hungary. We love sour cream, garlic and paprika. They are a hard working people. My parents came to Canada in the 1956 Hungarian revolution. Violins play a big part in their traditional music.

6. Do you enjoy sleeping late? If by late you mean later than my usual 6:30 a.m. then yes, if you mean until noon, then no.

7. Have you ever performed CPR on anyone? Do you know how? (Yes, that's two, I know. Whatevs.) No I haven't but I do know how. I have almost had to do the Heimlech manouver in a restaurant once. I know they're not the same thing but they both have to do with life saving.

8. Name one country you'd like to visit and explain why. I would love to go to Europe in general. So much history there and beautiful architecture. And especially Ireland. Hubby and I would love to do the castle tours. It just looks so green and lush.

9. Have you ever fixed up a couple romantically? Indirectly. They are now divorced so I won't take any credit for that one.

10. What is the last book you read? "In Search of Eden" by Linda Nichols. You can see my review here. It's #6. I can't believe I've read 6 books already this year.

11. Do you enjoy sleeping late? NO, YOU write the question! How's that for random?? I've been dying for this question to come up 'cause it's earth shattering in it's answers. Which direction do you hang your toilet paper: paper coming over the top or coming from underneath? Enquiring minds want to know.

12. What is your favorite meal at your favorite restaurant? If it's a restaurant where I know they do it well, I go for the liver and onions. I know, I know, but I can't help it. Remember I'm Hungarian and I grew up with it. And yes, I liked it when I was a kid too. My mom just knew how to cook it right. Now, I don't make it myself so when I see it on a menu and I know they cook it well, that's what I order. That or veal cutlets.

The Week in Words

Melissa at Breath of Life hosts The Week in Words. It's a carnival to celebrate words. Words that inspire, words that make you laugh, words that lift you up, words that direct you. Write a post of quotes that spoke to your heart during the week credited to their author and link back to Melissa.

My first one I found at Donnetta's My Quiet Corner

"The world can out out finance us, out entertain us, and out number us. Let it never be said that the world can out love us."

~Dr. Erwin Lutzer

That is a powerful statement especially when Jesus said that we are to be known for our love. Sometimes I think we lose sight of this and we are trying to compete with other aspects, such as in the financial world and the entertainment world, in order to have a testimony, but in reality what brings testimony to Christ and change is the love that we are supposed to show. This quote is very challenging and convicting and makes me wonder where in my own life I need to readjust my thinking and attitudes so that this quote is evident in my everyday. The answer was everywhere. Ouch.

And then to go with that this quote jumped out at me in the book I am reading. It was in the chapter entitled "God says: "Bear More Fruit". It of course, is talking about doing good deeds.

~"As we travel through life, God wants to express Himself through us."

~" ...simple expressions of "doing good" put the love, the kindness, the goodness, and the gentleness of God on display in a tangible way"

~"I like to think that God places a host of potential good works in my path every day. Then as I walk through my day, it's up to me to respond to each opportunity as a way of bringing God's presence and influence into the world"

~"We engage in good works in response to the influence of the Holy Spirit upon us."

~"As we abide in Jesus, and walk according to the Holy Spirit, we too are able to see the good works in our path and tap into the power of God to carry them out."

~Don Cousins

in Unexplainable: Pursuing a Life Only God Can Make Possible

pg. 121-123

And these quotes from Unexplainable really brought home to me that it is in God's power that we do these works not in our own. Yeah, I think just maybe God might be trying to tell me something.

What quotes have touched your hearts this week? Link up at Breath of Life.