Random Dozen

I have had fun reading other's answers to Linda's Random Dozen questions. This is her 12th edition and this time I have time, and I actually have answers (maybe I am not over thinking the questions/answers this time!). So I am jumping in...

1. If you could master one sport, what would it be?

Hmmm, ok, this might not be considered a sport by all, but I would want to master white water kayaking. They make it look so easy! The idea of splashing through the water, being able to flip the kayak back over without knocking my brains out, etc. Now, I don’t want to go over 20 foot waterfalls, nope, nothing to that degree.

2. When you make a major purchase, do you go with your gut instinct, or do you do research to make an informed decision?

I have to think on it and do a little research.

3. There is an old kids' game that says you can find out what your movie star name would be by using your middle name as your first name and the name of the street you grew up on as your last. What is your movie star name?

Lol! So sad: Merie Decatur. If I had any talent to begin with, the agent would absolutely make me change that one!

4. Would you rather give up your favorite music or your favorite food?

Favorite music. Gotta keep the favorite food. I can think of the music, remember the music, hum the music. Food, well thinking of it just does not bring any enjoyment if I cannot indulge. Chocolate, chocolate, chocolate. Nope, I need it. Where is my stash????

5. There are two types of banana preferences. One is pristine yellow, almost to the point of being green; the other is spotty and more ripe. Which is your preference?

Pristine Yellow (borderline green)! Spotty ones are only good for waiting to ripen to the point of making bread. AND, this sounds strange, but there is some kind of change from the yellow/green to spotty and the spotty irritate my allergies – my ears and throat start itching. Very annoying.

6. Your favorite tree is?

Oh goodness! I love the live oaks in the South. I don’t have a single one in this yard, but yup that would be my favorite. A Ginko tree very easily could become my favorite though.

7. On a scale of 1-10, how tech savvy are you?

Hmmm, I think about middle of the road on that one. My greatest fear of aging? Technology Gap. I figure those older ladies that do not know the first thing about computers, were probably pretty savvy in whatever was “in” in their 20’s, 30’s etc. So, what will come out that will send my into that spot?? The next cell phone?

8. Has H1N1 touched your family?

Thank the Lord no!

9. Are you an analytical person, or do you just accept things the way they are without questioning or scrutinizing?

Analytical. Not as bad as I was when younger. I have learned to stop myself before dragging it out too very long are skewing the perspective by over scrutinizing.

10. Is your personality more like that of a dog, cat, or Koala?

Ahhhh, a Koala, cute and fuzzy and cuddling? Nope, not me. Much more that of a dog. (pant pant pant).

11. Do you keep in touch with friends you made years ago?

I do. Or at least I try. Everyone’s lives are so busy, but I still talk to two of my highschool friends a couple times a year.

12. You are checking out at a grocery store. In the express lane, there are more people than the regular lanes, but of course, their load is less than those in the regular lanes. Which lane do you choose (assuming you qualify for the express lane) and why?

It does not matter. I have this skill. A pretty consistent one. Whichever line I get in, it slows to a crawl. Always. Because of that, most of the time I don’t really pay much attention to the amount of items other’s have.

Join in the fun sharing about you! Check out Linda at 2nd cup of coffee . . .

Thanks Linda!

Wordless Wednesday - Here is the Church, Here is the Steeple

St. Patrick's Cathedral

St. Thomas Episcopal

Caught The Hint

Sometimes in life, I notice there are themes, thoughts, suggestions that keep reoccurring. For me, that has most recently been a book. I remember seeing it on the shelf at Sam’s but did not buy it. They did not restock it and it must have moved fast, because I don’t remember it seeing it there as long as other books.

As a friend and I talked at lunch a month or so ago, we were discussing a few of the local shelters and missions. She mentioned this particular book and how great it was.

The Sunday evening Bible study that I attend was using a book titled “Transforming Discipleship.” The study was about our discipleship to the world around us. We worked through the book, ending the study with a service to the community. We assisted another local church with their Sunday evening soup kitchen.

While serving lemonade to over 170 individuals, during some talk amongst ourselves, again the book was mentioned.

Then Ann On and On posted about a new book to check out – the sequel the one that kept popping up.

So I ordered both from Amazon and they arrived.

The first book is “The Same Kind Of Different As Me.” It is written by two gentlemen, a homeless ex con, Denver Moore and an international art dealer, Ron Hall, that had grown up in a lower- working class family. The men were brought together by Mr. Hall’s wife.

I started it this weekend, and it should be a quick read (other than there are kids, and work and a dog and ….).

Then yesterday morning, Friar Tuck posted a book review. You guessed it . . .The Same Kind Of Different As Me. This book appears to speak to many on different levels. As I am only a few chapters in, the thoughts I carry are of that gap between the have and have nots, of reaching out those whose life is missing the essentials, whether it be food or friends. I enjoyed Friar Tuck’s perspective of the friendship between men, and how rare this level of friendship is.

As we served at the supper that Sunday evening, one of the coordinators came up at the beginning and shared about the community that joined them on Sunday evenings. She said not everyone was homeless, many had homes, but maybe not enough food. They have some that are just lonely and limited income and come for the company. I thought of my kid’s great-grandmother (their dad’s side). She had a home, lived by herself out in the county, extremely independent and stubborn, even more so financially strapped and health failing, and at times I think longing for more interaction with others.

I heard that a volunteer at the soup table, while he supported his group with helping serve, is not exactly supporting of the program. His thoughts were that there were people there that didn’t need to be there. Suggesting they took advantage. I can say, I did not see one person that seemed they should not have been there. As I heard said a few months ago, poor isn’t always lack of a roof. Poor can be poor in spirit, poor in family, poor in health, poor in lack of community. This church gives those poor in whatever area a chance to have community, to have fellowship, to have warmth, to feel a part. And I suppose that is what this book also makes me remember. We all are the same in that respect, in that desire to feel apart and accepted.

The second book is “What difference do it make?” It is made up of “stories of hope and healing.” I have flipped through it and am looking forward to starting it next. New stories of different lives and stories of Ron and Denver are laced through the second book with the goal to show what difference each of us can make on the world, how sometimes the small things make the biggest impact.

Have you read the book? What did you think?

Monday Memory - Ching Ching

As I was searching for something a few weeks ago (and at this point I have no idea what that was), I came across a drawer in a jewelry box. In the drawer I found . . .

I have had these since elementary school. My grandfather always gave my brother and me $2 bills- for what? I am not sure now, probably along with birthday gifts. Maybe just because moments.

I never spent them. I have always known that they weren’t worth anything more than face value, at least as the value of money goes, but sentimentally? Well, I still have them…

So, the bills will go back into a special place, to be somewhat forgotten again all to be discovered and touch on that spot inside that smiles at the small reminders of someone special.

Last Wednesday night at church, as Will and I gathered and emptied the Meals on Wheels collection cans, there in one can was a $2 bill. Again, a smile at the memory . . .

Smiles!

Monday Memories hosted by Gayle at Planet M Files.

Tis the season

...creative juices flowing


I think the land of blog is better than google. It is here that you stumble on new foods, new family trips, ideas that inspire all while reading and interchanging with others on this walk through life.

I have "collected" scrapbooking materials for years. Not to collect, necessarily, but all in the hopes to use all the wonderful papers, embellishments, stickers and stamps. They have been moved a few times and tucked back away until the moment I can pull it all out and play.

Last year, as I traveled through the land, I came across wonderful sites creating collage art. I fell in love. So last year, as the season of giving approached, the creative juices flowed and I was intrigued by the soldered charms on many sites. And, after purchasing the glass and soldering items needed, broke out the papers and ribbons stickers and charmed my way through a new craft.

As the store came closer to closing this summer, I KNEW I was finally going to have time to scrapbook!

Not so simple. I started pulling out supplies to organize only to have to place it back into the armoire I pulled it from. In the meantime, as I traveled thru this land, I landed at Two Peas In A Bucket, Pretty Paper Blog and Creative Mini Albums. These two sites and the links that you can follow from them, have given a smorgasbord of ideas to use my scrapbooking supplies.

The last time I went to a crop was probably four years ago. Books were created mostly for 12x12 or 8x8 albums. But I think I found the answer to the lack of time. Mini Albums.

I am inspired. I am excited. I am making my first one.


The New York trip was perfect for creating into a mini album for a gift for my mom for Christmas.

I started last week, and this is what I have so far:

(made envelope for tags with pictures and journaling)

I love the tags and the smaller pages. I like the difference in the collage element from the older books I have completed (sad, none for myself, just others). I hope to have it complete next week and then to start on a new project.

I do wonder though? Do artist require inspiration or see inspiration in other works? Or are they just naturally, poof, capable of creating?

Does this time of year inspire you to be more creative? What do you like to create?

Wordless Wednesday - Central Park (New York Trip)

Not a friend of math, or math not a friend of mine?

Much to my husband's head shaking, I don't have a math mind. He seems to think there is no such thing. But, I do not have a math mind. I do try not to draw to much attention to this in front of the kids - they really don't need any more excuses not to do school work. They know though, because I have to send them to Will with most their math homework questions (when they do homework - they are boys and are somehow morally against it).

If I had to go back and retake the College entrance exam, I would again be placed in learning support Algebra. There just isn't much retention, nor enjoyment. The closest to liking Algebra was when the problem was real long to begin with and the answer was only one or two digits - the end result looking like an upside down pyramid. That part I liked!

Today I received an email that cracked me up! And surely the teachers had to eventually laugh too . . .

Jumped In Today

I did it.

I had my first job as a Personal Cook today.

Loaded up a flat max tool box, a cooler, the recipes and headed to cook. In someone else's kitchen.

I liked it!

"...the city is one big theatre where everyone is on display" Jerry Rubin

It is Friday Foto Finish with Candid Carrie and I thought, “what a great day to jump back in…”

Many weeks ago I received a call from my SIL asking what I was doing the end of October. Nothing. So she asked if I would go on a girl’s weekend with her and her friends – airfare and room was covered. She had already asked my mom and my mom said only if I said yes. So of course I did.

Ok, ok, I know I am leaving out the destination. But it was so exciting, so I am trying to bate you along . . . New York City! I have never been, but have wanted to for some time.

How do you break down a whirlwind trip like that? So I am taking one part and making it my Photo Phinish…

Now we do not live in a metropolitan area. In most of Georgia, other than, obviously, Atlanta, public transportation is limited, bike riding a scary venture, and taxi’s VERY limited. So cars are a must! Or friends with cars. So the subway was one of many experiences in the couple days we were there that was new to us.

I was amazed at the architectural details, even in the musty land beneath the city . . .

The landings were not as large as they appear on TV (or at least not the ones we loaded and unloaded on) nor were they fraught with threatening people, we saw quite a few friendly people.

We each purchased our ticket to subway our way to the Brooklyn Bridge. I was the last of the six of us to get my pass. As I turn, I am absolutely bewildered by what I saw. The South officially showing out in the North.

There, in the turnstile, is my SIL’s mother, two hands and two feet on the ground, hind end in the air, crawling under the turnstile!

No, no picture. Wish I had, but I was too shocked and too busy trying to figure out for the life of me why that woman was crawling like a primate. Well, she either couldn’t get the slide to accept her ticket swipe or she missed when it told her to go. Hard tellin’ not knowin’.

She gets to the other side, then begins my SIL (call her B) loudly and dramatically (like a Jack Russell on crack) saying to my mom (I am behind my mom) “swipe it fast and push fast” over and over and over. Luckily, behind me stood a regular subway rider, who calmly said from behind “You don’t have to swipe it that fast and it will tell you on a screen to go.” I passed that on to my mom, and you know? It worked (meanwhile B is still harping on her rant…)


We made it on the subway and to our destination. Now you would think that after the initial fiasco, the rest would be a breeze. Not necessarily so.

The afternoon of our last full day in NYC, we again took to the rails to reach various destinations. The very last time to catch the subway, we all head through the turnstiles with our tickets, going smoothly, until B’s mom. Again the swiper did not like her swipe. We were only half paying attention, but apparently she did not want to try again or wait, I don’t know, other than when I looked back over, she is squeezing herself around the turnstile. In the process, she must have swiped or B swiped for her, not a clue, but “GO” must have popped up because the turnstile turned, bringing the next bar somehow up between her legs. And folks, let me tell you, a grey haired late 60’s healthy woman straddling the turnstile in NYC, has got to be the funniest thing I have ever seen!

But I bet 100% can get through a subway turnstile.

Whew, now, head on over to Carrie’s for more Friday Foto Finishes…

Smiles!

When One Goes

....on vacation, it is wonderful.

But the getting ready . . .

The rush of seeing and doing while on vacation . . .

And the return and getting caught up on sleep and tasks at hand . . .



Well, feels like a juggling act. I need a vacation from vacation!

But I can't wait to post a real post. Soon.

Smiles!