Sunday Stealing

Memememe -- Part 1

1. The phone rings. Who do you want it to be?

A. I want it to be Publisher's Clearing House (pre-Chapter 11), telling me I've won their big sweepstakes.

2. When shopping at the grocery store, do you return your cart?

A. Of course I return the cart, unless some nice person says, "May I take your cart for you?" which happens occasionally. I also do that for other people if they're unloading groceries as I walk by.

3. In a social setting, are you more of a talker or a listener?

A. I tend to listen more. As one of my friends once said of me, "She doesn't talk much, but when she speaks up, it's probably best to listen."

4. Do you take compliments well?

A. What's a compliment? 

5. Do you play Sudoku or Wordle?

A. I play Wordle sometimes, but I haven't in a while. 

6. Did you ever go to camp as a kid?

A. We went camping as a family, but I was never sent away to camp.

7. Could you date someone with different religious beliefs than you?

A. I've been married for over 40 years, I don't date. But the answer would be yes.

8. Would you rather pursue or be pursued?

A. I think I would rather pursue.

9. Have you ever fired a gun?

A. I have fired a gun on many occasions.

10. Would you rather dine at Olive Garden or Panera?

A. Hmm. The local Olive Garden is where a waitress dropped a plate of spaghetti on my brand-new pair of $150 suede shoes, and when I made them pay me for the shoes, I was told never to return to that establishment. As far as I know the Panera here closed and if there is another, I do not know about it. So, I think I will have to take a pass on this answer.

Thank you for playing! Please come back next week.

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Sunday Stealing

*This is my 600th Sunday Stealing. That's about 11 years and 6 months of Sundays.*

 

A Wednesday meme on a Sunday

1. Name five songs that you have completely memorized.

A. "If You Could Read My Mind," by Gordon Lightfoot

    "Landslide," by Fleetwood Mac

    "I Will Survive," by Gloria Gainor

    "Tequila Sunrise," by The Eagles

    "Me and You and a Dog Named Boo," by Lobo 

2. What takes up too much of your time?

A. Playing video games. I really need to stop that.

3. What TV show or movie do you refuse to watch?

A. I do not watch anything on Fox. I also don't like gore or horror shows.

4. What's worth spending more on to get the best?

A. Furniture. I don't understand this Ikea generation, where you're buying something that isn't going to last five years.

5. Share something you did last week.

A. I did some interesting writing, an essay about male witches and a short story.

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Sunday Stealing

From A to F

Give yourself a letter grade (A, A-, B, B-, C, C-, D, D-, F)  on the following. Just the letter grade is requested, but you're free to elaborate.

• Happiness - C. "You never were a happy person," sayth the pater familias in a message long ago. But I think I've got them all fooled. Some days I'm actually fairly content.

• Being a decent human being - A-. I can be a b*tch when I have to be.

• Being serene (calm, peaceful) - C-. I have a bit of anxiety.

• Kindness - A-. I try to be kind to everyone. I'm sure there are some who disagree.

• Anger management - C. I have a temper. I calm down fairly quickly, but I can also be quick to anger.

• Creative thinking - A. This is probably the only thing I will give myself a top grade in.

• Modesty - B. I am proud of some things I've accomplished, but appearances and owning things don't mean all that much to me.

• Being an original - A-. "You're an original baby, like we've never seen before. Turn around and you're looking at 100 more." - That's a line from a Sheryl Crow song. Anyway, I think I'm fairly original.

• Knowing yourself - B. According to my friends, I know myself pretty well. Chad and Sage are especially impressed with my insightfulness sometimes.

• Being true to yourself - C-

• Getting along with others - C-. I'm an introvert, it doesn't always get understood by others.

• Liking yourself - C-.

• Admitting your flaws - B. I could probably do better at this.

• Self-improvement - A-. I've done loads to try to be a better person.

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Sunday Stealing

F.A.B.

F. Film: What movie or tv show are you watching?

A. We are watching Wheel of Time on Prime. I am walking on the treadmill to old episodes of JAG. We also watch Deadliest Catch, In the Eye of the Storm, and some other shows like that. I enjoyed the two-part documentary on Billy Joel on HBO. Catch that if you can. Hopefully, new shows will be out soon.

A. Audio: What are you listening to?

A. My audiobook is Murder at the Paperback Parlor, by Ellery Adams, and my music is "If" by Bread, which is what came on just now when I asked Alexa to play me some music (followed by "Wild Horses" by The Rolling Stones).

B. Book: What are you reading?

A. I just finished The City of Brass by S. A. Chakraborty and have not yet picked out my next read.

Thank you for playing! Please come back next week.

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Sunday Stealing

 

Morning Meme

1) What do you typically have for breakfast?

A. During the week I have Honey Nut Cheerios. On the weekends, I have scrambled eggs.

2) What was your favorite breakfast cereal when you were a kid?

A. Fruit Loops.

3) Orange juice, tomato juice or cranberry juice?

A. Cranberry juice. I'm allergic to citrus, can't drink tomato juice because of my propensity for ulcers, so cranberry it is. But I rarely drink juices of any kind.

4) What time is your alarm clock set for?

A. 6:00 a.m. and 6:30 a.m. 

5) Do you have any tips for preventing stress and making the morning go more smoothly?

A. Don't get out of bed in the first place! Otherwise, set out the clothes you want the night before, make sure you get a decent night's sleep, and let the coffee maker start the coffee for you if you're into that sort of thing.

Thank you for playing! Please come back next week.

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Sunday Stealing

The 2x4 Meme

TWO foods you can't stand

1. Coconut

2. Citrus (because I am allergic to citrus)

FOUR foods you love

1. Watermelon

2. Chocolate

3. Chicken

4. Broccoli

TWO places you never want to see again 

1. The inside of a hospital.

2. Anybody's basement.

FOUR places you'd like to revisit

1. Williamsburg, Virginia

2. Charlottesville, Virginia

3. Myrtle Beach, SC

4. Charleston, SC

TWO musical artists who make you want to change the station 

1. Anyone singing twangy country.

2. Anyone singing rap or hip-hop.

FOUR musical artists you love to listen to

1. Fleetwod Mac

2. Bread

3. Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young

4. The Eagles

TWO moments you'd like to erase

1. The time I quit a job at a law office in Fincastle.

2. The time I turned down an editor's job because I had just lost my mother.

FOUR moments you'd like to relive

1. The day I met my husband.

2. My 50th birthday.

3. The births of my nephews and niece.

4. The day I saw my byline in print for the first time.

Thank you for playing! Please come back next week.

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Sunday Stealing

Let's Do Our ABCs

A. Auto - Toyota Camry

B. Bed size - Queen

C. Cats - Allergic

D. Dogs - Allergic

E. Essential start to your day - A shower

F. Favorite color - Blue

G. Gold or silver - Silver

H. Hand you favor (righty or lefty) - Right

I. Instruments you play - Guitar and I can manage to get a tune out on many others

J. Job title - Retired

K. Kids - None

L. Live (rural, suburb, city) - Rural

M. Meal plans - People plan those things?

N. Nicknames - Sweetie Pie

O. Overnight hospital stays - Multiple

P. Pet peeves - People who whine on Facebook.

Q. Quote from a movie - You shall not pass! (From Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Rings)

R. Regrets - I've had a few, but then again, too few to mention.

S. Siblings - 1

U. Underwear - I wear it.

V. Vegetable you love - Broccoli

W. What makes you run late - Oversleeping

X. X-rays you’ve had - Loads. I probably glow in the dark.

Y. Yummy food - Chocolate

Z. Zoo animal - Panda

 

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Sunday Stealing

 

About Blogging

1. When are you at your blogging best – a.m. or p.m.?

A. I don't know. I blog at all hours.

2. How many blogs do you have? Please include the links in your answer.

A. Just this one.

3. Do you prefer silence when you compose your posts and write your comments?

A. I either want it silent, or I want music in the background.

4. What's the grossest thing you've ever spilled on your keyboard?

A. Just water.

5. Ever posted while intoxicated?

A. I have not posted while intoxicated. I don't drink.

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Sunday Stealing

Living in the World, Not on It

1) You're on a trip taking a tour through the jungle. You have a backpack with some food, first aid supplies, a pocketknife, a flashlight and a couple bottles of water. Somehow, you get separated from your group. By night fall you haven't found your group and haven't heard them looking for you. How long do you think you would be able to survive on your own?

A. As long as the water lasts, and hopefully there's rain to make it last longer.

 

2) Do you think it's okay to lie to spare someone's feelings? Why? 

A. I think it is ok to give little white lies, like "Oh yes, that dress looks lovely on you" when it kind of doesn't. Those are lies that keep someone from feeling bad about themselves. Otherwise, it really depends on the situation. 

3) If a talking doll were made to resemble you, what 3 phrases would it say?

A. "That's interesting." "I love you." "You are beautiful to me."

4) If the superpower to be able to read minds at will was possible, do you think it would be... cool and helpful, intrusive and wrong, manipulative or maddening?

A. I think it would be intrusive and wrong, as well as manipulative and maddening. I don't think it would be a good power to have.

5) Are drunk confessions things people can't bring themselves to say sober or just the crazy ramblings of an influenced and intoxicated mind? 

A. I think they can be both.

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Sunday Stealing

 

Stolen from Follow That Dream

1. My bestie and I once ... fooled the checkout clerk at the grocery store into thinking we were sisters.

2. When I'm nervous ... I eat.

3. My hair ... is turning gray.

4. When I turn to the left, I see ... a bookshelf with books and cameras on it, my guitars, two clocks, a picture of Gandolf from Lord of the Rings, and other stuff.

5. My favorite aunt ... seldom calls me.

6. I have a hard time understanding ... what is going on in the world.

7. You know I like you if ... I talk to you.

8. When I was 5 years old ... I told my mother my brother had swallowed a bottle of aspirin and saved his life.

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Sunday Stealing

Spill It!

1. If money wasn't an issue, would you move to a new home?

A. No. I might add a room to the one I'm in, but I wouldn't move. (Unless my husband had passed away, in which case I might consider finding an independent living community.)

2. Do you listen to different music when you're happy than when you're sad?

A. Yes.

3. What's your favorite way to unwind after a tough day?

A. Read a book or watch TV.

4. What's the first book you remember from childhood?

A. Green Eggs & Ham, by Dr. Suess.

5. What made you smile today?

A. Reading Rosie O'Donnell's response to someone in power who threatened her. King Joffrey with a tangerine tan indeed!

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Sunday Stealing

Since it's the 4th of July weekend, we're going to keep this simple. We stole this from a blogger named Idzie, who called this the F.A.B. (film, audio, book) meme.

F.A.B.

F. Film: What movie or tv show are you watching?

A. We've been watching M*A*S*H* on DVD. 

A. Audio: What are you listening to?

A. At the moment, I am listening to nothing but the hum of the air purifiers.

B. Book: What are you reading?

A. I am listening to a memoir called Ordinary Time, by Annie B. Jones and up next is The Rulebreaker by Susan Page. I am not reading a book at the moment; I am reading The Atlantic.

Thank you for playing! Please come back next week.

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Sunday Stealing

Just Another Manic Monday

1. What is something you should throw away, but just can't bring yourself to part with?

A. My books. I have a lot of books on writing that I need to toss out. I haven't anywhere to put them except into the recycling bin, and I just can't bring myself to do that yet.

2. When you make yourself a sandwich, do you cut it on the diagonal, straight up the middle, or not at all?

A. I cut it in the middle.

3. What song or sound brings back memories of childhood?

A. A Bicycle Built for Two

4. Who is the first person you call when you have good news?

A. My husband. He's also the first person I call with bad news.

5. Have you ever set out on a walk in the rain?

A. I have. It was the only time I enjoyed walking around the city. The smell of the rain diminished the stink.

Thank you for playing! Please come back next week.

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Sunday Stealing

What Would You Say at This Moment to:

1) Someone you have hurt?

A. I'm sorry.

2) Someone who has hurt you?

A. I forgive you.

3) Your favorite teacher from grade school?

A. Thank you for teaching me how to read a book aloud with nuance and emotion.

4) Your most hated teacher from high school?

A. Yelling at students is not the best way to teach.

5) Your best friend from college?

A. I didn't have a best friend in college. I went to college part-time while I was married and didn't really have time to make friends. That said, I would like to thank some of my professors. They were wonderful.

6) Your favorite recording artist?

A. You can retire now.

7) Your favorite author?

A. To any author: keep writing.

8) Your first boss?

A. It never was, never has been, and never will be, all about you.

9) Your first love?

A. Thanks for the memories.

10) Your true love?

A. We'll be married for 42 years this year, old man.

Thank you for playing! Please come back next week.

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Sunday Stealing

Complete the Thought

1. I wish someone would ... invent a time machine.

2. When I order Chinese food ... I always get sweet and sour chicken.

3. I know it's not everyone's favorite activity, but I actually enjoy ... doing the laundry.

5. A major pet peeve of mine is ... poke butts who drive slowly.

6. I remember when my grandfather ... took me to Hills Department Store to buy a toy horse.

7. I am not fazed at all by ... what strangers think of me.

8. Long car rides ... put me to sleep.

9. I don't understand the fuss over ... any celebrity anywhere.

10. When I'm home alone ... I listen to music, dance around the house, and enjoy myself.

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Sunday Stealing

10 Questions with Nigel

1. What's your life's motto?

A. "Do no harm" and "Not all who wander are lost."

2. Where were you living 13 years ago?

A. In the same place I am living now.

3. Is anyone jealous of you?

A. Probably.

4. Where were you when you heard about the 9/11 terror attacks?

A. I was working at a law office in the county seat. The lawyer came in and said a plane had hit the Twin Towers. We turned on a small television and were watching when the second plane hit. Then we heard about the Pentagon being hit. Then the towers collapsed, and the lawyer closed the office and sent everyone home.

5. Do you consider yourself kind?

A. I try very hard to be kind. I am human so I am not always successful.

6. Can you change your car's oil?

A. I could if I had to. But fortunately, there are people I can pay to do that.

7. What's the last thing you heard about your first love?

A. My "boyfriend" from elementary school passed away some months ago. I'm not sure if one would consider him a first love or not.

8. Have you ever been burned by love?

A. Who hasn't?

9. What was the last thing you paid for with cash?

A. I bought a hanging flower basket.

10. Do you hug your friends?

A. Yes. I think hugs are terrific.

Thank you for playing! Please come back next week.

P.S. Today is my birthday.

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Sunday Stealing

This week we're stealing from Christina at Call Me Patsy. Back in 2008, she admitted she stole these questions from a blogging buddy named Liz. Here we don't judge. We celebrate such theft.

Questions Christina Stole from Liz

1. What bill do you hate paying the most?

A. The light bill is not my favorite. We seem to use an excessive amount of electricity for a small home. I'm sure part of the problem is the two air purifiers we run, but when it's either pay for the electricity or pay for the doctor because of my asthma, then I suppose we've chosen the best path for us.

2. Which restaurant would you recommend for a romantic dinner?

A. We only have one nice restaurant in the city. It's called Coach and Four. It's been around a long time; it's where my husband proposed to me.

3. Who was your first-grade teacher?

A. My first-grade teacher was Mrs. Zirkle. I found her to be very mean and quite harsh, and I frequently went home from school and cried. 

4. What should you be doing right now?

A. I probably should be working on making dinner instead of answering these questions, but dinner will keep.

5. What did you want to be when you were growing up?

A. I wanted to be many things when I was growing up: an archeologist, a geologist, an astronaut, a college professor.

6. How did you choose the shirt you're wearing right now?

A. It was hanging in the closet and wasn't a t-shirt.

7. Gas prices! What's your first thought?

A. They are what they are. I have no control over them.

8. Do you have a teddy bear?

A. I do not have a teddy bear.

9. Do you own the last book you read, or did you get it from the library?

A. The last book I read came from the library. I try to get most of my books from the library these days.

10. Did you more recently send a text or write a Post It?

A. I sent a text.

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Sunday Stealing

These questions were inspired by a blogger named Becca. Back in 2007, Becca was asked to reveal 8 interesting things about herself. We're turning her answers into questions to learn a little more about YOU.

8 Questions

1. What habit do you wish you could break?

A. At the moment, I am trying to stop cursing. It is a difficult habit to break.

2. Where is your favorite vacation spot?

A. I'm not sure I have one anymore. I used to love Myrtle Beach, but it has changed so much that I no longer recognize it as the place I used to enjoy. I like Williamsburg but it's not somewhere I want to go all the time.

3. How many years of formal education have you completed?

A. I have completed my master's degree.

4. Have you ever had a job that required you be certified or licensed?

A. I have never had a job that had certification or licensing requirements.

5. Do you enjoy camping?

A. No. I like hotel rooms and room service.

6. Tell us about a time you got away with something.

A. When I was younger, my foot was much heavier on the gas pedal than it is now. Somehow, I never received a speeding ticket, though.

7. Where have you lived the longest, and what do/did you like best about it?

A. I have lived the longest in the house I am in now. I love it because it belongs to me and my husband, we built it ourselves with help from friends and family, and it is small.

8. When you were a kid, were more of your playmates boys or girls?

A. Most of my young playmates were boys. I had two young uncles and my brother as my companions most of the summer.

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Sunday Stealing

Last week we shared questions that centered around your bathroom. This week, with questions stolen from Manic Monday, we're moving to the bedroom.

Back to Bed

1. Let's say your alarm wakes you up with music. What would be the worst song to hear first thing in the morning?

A. A funeral dirge.

2. How many pillows do you sleep with?

A. I sleep on a big wedge pillow with a round pillow under my neck, and two pillows under my knees and feet.

3. What size mattress do you sleep on?

A. We sleep on a queen-sized mattress.

4. Do you always sleep on the same side of the bed?

A. I always sleep on the same side of the bed.

5. Do you make your bed every day?

A. I make my bed every day.

6. Do you keep water on your bedside table?

A. I keep water on the bedside table. We like the little 8 oz water bottles for that. They have a lid and so you can't spill them all over the bed, unless you can't get the lid back on.

7. How often do you change your sheets?

A. I change my sheets once a week unless one of us becomes sick. Then I might change them daily or as required.

8. What's under your bed?

A. I imagine there is a little dust under there, but that's all. And there shouldn't be much of that.

9. Do you sleep in total darkness or do you like to have a light on?

A. It is not totally dark in my bedroom because of light from the alarm clocks, but I do not sleep with a light on.

10. What do you remember about your childhood bedroom?

A. My childhood bedroom had white furniture with a canopy twin bed. It looked a little like this, but not exactly:

Stolen from Pinterest

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