Currently Stealing Like a Sunday Morning

It's been a quiet, but productive weekend. Tim has worked both days and our daughter's family has been busy. Left to my own devices I've been doing some decluttering, as in I sent 5 lawn and leaf sized bags of clothes and nearly as much miscellaneous junk off to Goodwill. Every last bit of it had been stored in the three main closets in the house. Yikes! I love how much room is in them now. I can actually get to things without a tsunami of "stuff" falling out on me.

I plan to be just as busy today, but this morning I'm giving myself a bit of a break...at least until I go to pick up the grocery order at Walmart. What better way to pass the time than with Currently and Sunday Stealing? So, here we go!

Currently...

The weather... is a cool 64 degrees with sunshine. We should see a high of 82 this afternoon.

Reading... I just finished The Little Bookstore on Heart Lake Lane and started Wrapped Up In Christmas Hope. Three days in and I'm doing well at my pledge to read everyday for the American Cancer Society's fundraiser.

Watching... a lot of new (to me) things on Prime. At the moment I'm watching Almost Paradise, a show about an ex-DEA agent who retires to the Philippines only to end up fighting bad guys on behalf of the local police.

Listening... my own heart at work rather than the negative garbage flowing from some of my coworkers.

Thinking... about the things I want to accomplish today.

Celebrating... we celebrated our daughter's birthday on the 25th of July and our granddaughter's on the 29th. There's nothing now until Mom's and my birthday on the 15th.

Grateful... for a quiet weekend and that my leg is cooperating in letting me get things done.

Sunday Stealing

This week's meme is swiped from If By Yes, a Canadian blogger who describes herself as a "left wing left hander with two left feet." It's a shame she doesn't update her blog anymore. Anyway, she participated in a meme that she tells us was popular way back when.

About Blogging

1. When are you at your blogging best – a.m. or p.m.?  Probably in the a.m., but due to work and other obligations blogging usually happens in the p.m. That may explain why I don't post very often these days. I'm just too tired to think about it when I have time.

2. How many blogs do you have? Please include the links in your answer.  Just this one. Some others from the past may still be floating around, but they aren't in use.

3. Do you prefer silence when you compose your posts and write your comments?  No. I have always preferred to have music or the tv on when I am working.

4. What's the grossest thing you've ever spilled on your keyboard?  I don't think I've ever spilled anything on my keyboard.

5. Ever posted while intoxicated?  Nope and no chance of it happening, either. I haven't had enough to drink to be considered intoxicated since long before blogs existed.

Now to leave you with what currently has me giggling...

8 Questions

Welcome to Sunday Stealing. Here we will steal all types of questions from every corner of the blogosphere. Our promise to you is that we will work hard to find the most interesting and intelligent questions. Cheers to all of us thieves!

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?  Where do I start? Procrastinating, snacking, farting around online, Diet Coke, and on goes the list.

2. Where is your favorite vacation spot?  It's always been Chincoteague Island, VA, the place that Margeurite Henry made famous with her tales of Misty. It's not the most glamorous or exciting spot on earth and that's why I have loved it. It always kept its small town feel. I'm sorry to say that the last 20 years or so have seen it become more and more commercialized. I still love it, but it isn't the same.

3. How many years of formal education have you completed?  I have 6 years of grade school, 6 years of jr/sr high school, and two years of college under my belt. I've taken some other courses and had lots of training over the years, but I don't think they are what you mean by "formal."

4. Have you ever had a job that required you be certified or licensed?  I had to have my CDL license to drive a school bus, but other than that I can't think of anything. Most of my jobs have required background checks and clearances, though, and I am someone who is considered a mandated reporter (like a doctor, for example, I am required by law to report suspected abuse). I have to do training and get fingerprinted and the like every 5 years for that.

5. Do you enjoy camping?  Probably not so much these days. I would enjoy most of it, but would probably not do well with the actual sleeping out bit. I can't get comfortable and sleep poorly in my expensive bed, I doubt things would improve in a sleeping bag on the ground or a cot.

6. Tell us about a time you got away with something.  When I was growing up my dad absolutely HATED jeans. His thoughts on them were that they were only good for playing at home and if you lived on a farm, shoveling manure. It was the 70s and early 80s...EVERYONE wore jeans! I wanted to be part of everyone so I'd take jeans to school in my big purse and change into them at school. In the afternoon I'd change before going home if my parents were going to be there, but a lot of the time I was safe as I was often a latchkey kid.

7. Where have you lived the longest, and what do/did you like best about it?  We've lived in our present home for 31 years. That's the longest anywhere by a long shot. I guess what I like the best is that it is near family. Sometimes that's also what I dislike the most about it, too.

8. When you were a kid, were more of your playmates boys or girls?  It was probably close to being an even mix.

Enjoy your Sunday! We are taking the Grands to a circus so I'll be around to visit after we get back.

Sunday Stealing

Welcome to Sunday Stealing. Here we will steal all types of questions from every corner of the blogosphere. Our promise to you is that we will work hard to find the most interesting and intelligent questions. Cheers to all of us thieves!

Back in 2016, regular Sunday Stealer Shannon W. from Moments of Introspection took on 43 questions. We're lazy, so we pared it back to 15. 

 

Stealing from Shannon 

 
1. What book are you currently reading?  Lennon, Dylan, Alice, and Jesus: The Spiritual Biography of Rock and Roll by Greg Laurie.

2. Have you ever smoked?  Just a puff here and there during college. Not enough to really say I was a smoker. 

3. Do you own a gun?  We have several and 3 or 4 of them are mine. I have taken gun safety classes, had training, and I practice safe use regularly at a shooting range.

4. What is your favorite candy?  Lindor truffles. Snickerdoodle, blueberry, and milk chocolate are the best flavors.

5. Hot dogs: yay or nay?  Yay. I like them plain with ketchup, with chili, or with cheese wrapped in a Pillsbury crescent roll.

6. Favorite movie?  Uh, duh...

7. What do you prefer to drink in the morning?  Diet Coke or Orange Juice.

8. What do you drink throughout the day?  Diet Coke or Crystal Light peach iced tea.

9. Do you do push ups?

10. What’s your favorite piece of jewelry?  My wedding ring.

11. Current worry?  My husband's health.

12. Current annoyance?  Where is question #14?

13. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets?  Not really.

15.  Can you whistle?  I used to be able to, but seem to have lost the skill.

Sunday Stealing: Countdown From 5

It's good to see Sunday Stealing back again. I've played along off and on for years and while the last few years it's been more "off" I do like to join in when I have the time. I wonder about our former host, Bev. I know her health was not good so I hope and pray she is okay.

COUNTDOWN FROM 5. Stolen from Kwizgiver, ca. 2011. She originally counted down from 10, but we are not that ambitious.

FIVE people who mean the world to you.

(I'll skip the obvious answer, Jesus, because he means more than the world to me, anyway.)

1. Husband

2. Daughter

3. Grandson

4. Granddaughter

5. And even though he has chosen to have nothing to do with us...my son will always be my son.

FOUR things you fear.

1. Snakes

2. Swimming in the ocean (Thanks, Jaws!)

3. Being old and alone

4. Being old and stuck in a nursing home

 

THREE words to describe how you feel right now.

1. Sick

2. Achy

3. Tired

 

TWO things you're excited about.

1. Making beaded items with my daughter and our first craft show coming up this month.

2. Actually having vacation days to use this year.

 

ONE thing you'd like to say to someone.

1. I'm retiring. Sadly, that is not to be for several years yet. I need my job for the insurance and also because at this point I have to work until I'm 67 to get my full Social Security benefits.

Blast off! 

A Stolen Sunday Stealing

I saw that Country Dew over at Blue Country Magic broke an old Sunday Stealing out of the archives and decided to "steal" it from her...which makes me ask, can you steal something that's already stolen? Anyway, thanks for giving me something to post today!

From the Sunday Stealing Archives (2009)

1. What is your occupation right now?  My actual job title is "Direct Care Worker." What I do is actually a little bit teacher, a little bit companion, a little bit nurse's aide, a little bit activities director/party planner/decorator, with a twist of whatever-else-they-need-me-to-do.

2.  What color are your socks right now?  A marled brown and white.

3.  What are you listening to right now?  The Super Bowl, but it feels more like endless commercials.

4.  Who was the last person you spoke to on the phone?  My husband.

5.  How old are you today?  I'm 60 years old.

6.  What is your favorite sport to watch on TV?  Football, though I don't watch much sports these days.

7.  What is your favorite drink?  Diet Coke

8.  Have you ever dyed your hair?  Up until about 3 years ago I dyed it all the time. At this point, it's mostly gray and it turns out I'm okay with that.

9.  What is your favorite food?  I'm torn between anything with shrimp in it, pizza, and Chinese food.

10.  What is the last movie you watched?  I watched Robert Downey Jr's Doolittle with my grandchildren this afternoon. We'd never seen it and really enjoyed it.

11.  Favorite day of the year?  I guess I will stick with Thanksgiving. I like that it's slower paced and just about the food and being together before the craziness of Christmas. On the whole, though, the holidays just aren't what they used to be. The kids just don't care about keeping traditions going and now that our son and his family don't come around our gatherings are pretty small compared to what I grew up with. We don't even get together with extended family because there isn't any left in the area. They are spread all over the country.

12.  How do you vent anger?  I write. Then I throw it away. That gets it out, but keeps me from saying something I'll regret later.

13.  What was your favorite toy as a child?  My bike. I spent hours out of each day riding. Back then a kid could go pretty far and parents didn't worry.

14.  What are your living arrangements?  I live in a house with my husband.

15.  What was the last thing you cried about?  I have no idea. I rarely cry. I went through a really rough stretch of life a while back. It was just one major thing after another. It felt like my life was imploding. I think I cried through those years until I just don't have any tears left to cry.

16.  Who is the friend you've had the longest?  My high school bestie who still lives in the neighborhood, too.

17.  What did you do last night?  Watched TV.

18.  What are you most afraid of?  For myself, ending up in a nursing home. In general, snakes. For others, anything happening to my grandchildren.

19.  In how many areas of your country have you lived?  Two

20.  What is your favorite flower?  Sunflowers

(Sunday) Stealing Into November

Whew! I can't believe we're already into November, but at the same time I'm relieved October is behind us. Halloween is the very biggest of deals at my workplace and my department makes the "magic" happen so this past week was hectic, crazy, exhausting, and FUN! 

I have a few photos from the party to share, but not too many as I have to be careful of showing faces.

First up...this is my finished wall. I went with a zombie swamp theme. There was supposed to be a contest with voting, but there was just too much going on. I'm pretty happy with how it turned out, anyway, and everyone loved it. It's hard to see all the detail but there are fairy lights in those (real) tree branches and a little lantern. I used green mesh for the moss. All those little light things in the picture are zombies and other assorted swamp creatures.

These are my coworkers' walls. They are really cute, but we obviously had different visions. Ha!

There were some really great costumes (wish I could share them, but if you are friends with me on Facebook you can see the official post from work that I shared).

And finally, there was me, the crazy cat lady.

Now on to Sunday Stealing...

1. Local events, parades, or festivals - either in your hometown or state.  There are so many holiday markets coming up this month I don't know where to start with those, several towns have Christmas parades and Indiana, PA (Jimmy Stewart's hometown) has the It's a Wonderful Life parade. Of course, every community has its light up night.

2. Life update - what's happened recently, moving house, family wedding, vacation, new pet, visited with a friend, and so on.  I already covered what's been happening at work. At home, I kept our daughter's dog for the past week while they were on vacation in Gatlinburg, TN. They just got home tonight. 

3. Do you have any family traditions this month?  We got married in November so celebrating that is a tradition, I suppose. We will be marking 40 years on the 17th. There is always the big family dinner on Thanksgiving and playing games and watching movies or the dog show afterward. (We are not big football fans.) Thanksgiving weekend is always for decorating for Christmas.

4. The holidays are about two months away, do you begin shopping or creating now, or wait for December?  There's no hard or fast rule on that for me, but I started in September this year. With the economy the way it is, then the whole thing with the dock workers' strike looming, it felt a little more pressing to get started. I've been picking things up here and there when I come across something I know will be loved.

5. What is your favorite November memory?  Our wedding, of course! It was big and fun...and it was the last time my whole extended family was together. Other than that, I'd have to say one of my fondest memories is of the Thanksgiving when my son was a year old. We were living with my grandmother and my parents had arrived the day before. We spent the evening in the kitchen, even Tim and my dad, making the stuffing and doing all the prep work for the next day. My dad NEVER did stuff like that and Tim rarely does so it was a very special time of talking and laughing.

6. Now that the weather is getting cooler do you prefer staying indoors or going outdoors? What do you do?  It hasn't really gotten all that much cooler yet. The nights do cool down but the days are still pretty warm for this time of year. I like the indoors and outdoors equally, but with all the trouble my legs give me these days I'm prone to be indoors more. I enjoy watching the fire, cooking heartier meals, watching movies, playing games, doing puzzles, and reading.

7. Describe your favorite local restaurant.  Keystone Kitchen is a little place in a nearby town (less than 10 miles) that serves great homemade foods. It's casual and very friendly. Megan's family likes to go there, too.

8. Thanksgiving or Friendsgiving?  Thanksgiving. Friends are always welcome at that.

9. If you could take any class, what would you select?  I've always thought it would be fun to take a couple's cooking class. I'm not sure Tim shares that thought so probably some kind of art or craft class.

10. To celebrate November would you rather enjoy pumpkin pie or sweet potato? Pumpkin! I am that girl who started eating and drinking everything pumpkin spice flavored back in September.

11. How do you handle setbacks or failures?  Admittedly, there may be some frustration and/or tears, but that is usually short-lived. I tend to pick myself up, dust myself off and see what I can do to fix the situation. If I can't fix it, I try to learn something from it. Then I move on.

12. If everything in your house had to be one color, which color would you choose?  I have no idea. I tend to hate monotone color schemes when I see them. I love color and like to use it (my living room walls are pumpkin spice orange). There is a lot of brown in the mix, though...so maybe all shades of brown. If you're forcing me.

13. Who or what would you haunt if you were a ghost?  I don't want to haunt anyone or anything.

14. Have you ever worn clothing with the labels still attached?  Not on purpose.

15. What's something weird you recommend everyone try at least once?  Taking a walk in a cemetery, looking at the artistry of the headstones, reading the stones, thinking about the people's lives.

Sunday Stealing

Today's Sunday Stealing is stolen from Swap-bot.

1. If you like art, who is your favorite artist and why?  I like art, but I don't have a favorite artist. As with music, my tastes tend to be a bit eclectic and all over the place. I like what I like, what touches something in me.

2. If you were able to learn any three skills or talents instantly and with success, what would they be?  If we could do something about my horrible singing voice, singing would be my first choice. Next, I'd like to be one of those cooks who just whips up fabulous, creative meals without recipes. Lastly, I'd like to be able to create the kind of gorgeous garden spaces you see in magazines or online.

3. If you were to live in Ancient Times, where-in what country-would you want to live in?  I have no desire to live in ancient times. Books and movies can romanticize them, but the truth is they were hard and life could be quite brutal. Not to mention short.

4. What is something you're embarrassed to admit to liking? Whether it be a guilty pleasure show, or unusual hobby, etc.  I can't think of a thing. I've always been a bit of a nerd, doing my own thing so I'm not embarrassed by much and it's grown less as I grow older.

5. What is the worst job you've ever had?  Working at a nursing home. Not because of the work, but because of the rotten boss I had.

6. What is something you wanted to do as a child that you'd still like to do now?  Visit Plymouth, Salem, and Braintree in Massachusetts to research more deeply into my family tree and see the places where my ancestors lived.

7. What do you hate being judged for more than anything else?  My weight.

8. What is your life's mission?  To live showing others the kind of love Jesus showed.

9. If everyone walked around wearing warning labels, what would yours say?  Warning: Introvert on board. Excessive people-ing will send introvert into hiding.

10. At what age did you first feel like you were an adult?  Maybe when my kids came along, so early 20's...but it's not a constant feeling. I still have lots of days when I feel like a big kid.

11. When did you not speak up, but wish you had?  The only thing that comes to mind right now is not something I want to share.

12. What is something that makes your skin crawl?  Snakes.

13. What is the last thing to give you butterflies in your stomach?  I don't remember anything else, so it was probably a time in the past when I had to speak publicly.

14. What's your favorite type of media to work with? (Paint, clay, pens, etc.)  Given the things I do at work, I'm going to say construction paper and glue. Ha!

15. What question do you hate answering?  I hate answering questions related to getting my husband's commitment to something because he will always say "sure," but when push comes to shove, if he feels something at work is more important he will choose work and blow off the other commitment. He has missed birthdays, family dinners, holidays, so much with the kids growing up, and even more with friends. I'm stuck making explanations and apologies.

Enjoy the questions?

You can play along here.

Sunday Stealing

Today's questions come from Swap-bot. You can join in the fun here.

1. What inspires you most?  My faith, my grandchildren and the intellectually disabled adults I work with.

2. How do you think the world will change in 20 years?  Change comes at the speed of light these days, so I can't imagine what it will be like. I do believe it will bear little resemblance to today's world.

3. Cat or dogs and why?  I like both, but have always favored dogs. I currently have a 12 year old Poodle and a 3 year old cat. I think I've come to the decision that Daisy (the dog) will be my last dog. I'll go with cats in my golden years.

4. What is the funniest memory from your childhood?  We went to visit my aunt once and she was mowing her lawn, which was quite large. Interrupted by the visit, she didn't put the yard swing back. It hung on an old swing set frame and and she had to move it to mow. Anyway, my friend and I were sitting on it swinging. Her big cat, Albert, was sitting with us. All of a sudden, the whole thing tipped back and fell over. We were lying there on our backs, feet up in the air, laughing so hard no sound was coming out. Albert was apparently stunned because he never moved. My aunt and grandmother came running because they thought we must be hurt since there was no sound or movement. It scared them, but my friend and I still laugh about it.

5. Where do you not mind waiting?  I hate waiting in traffic, but otherwise it doesn't bother me too much. If I don't have a book with me, I will have my phone and that is connected to my Kindle, social media, and there are a couple of games on it. It's easy to pass the time.

6. What was the best thing before sliced bread?  I'm not sure when store-bought sliced bread came into being, but I would rank things like penicillin and indoor plumbing ahead of sliced bread.

7. What product would you stockpile if you found out they weren't going to sell it anymore?  Diet Coke. Then again...if I didn't stockpile it and they quit making it maybe I could finally give it up.

8. What do you get every time you go grocery shopping?  Diet Coke, stuff for salads, and food and treats for the pets.

9. What do people do too much of today?  Sit on their butts. (Hey, I'm guilty, too!)

10. Are you a Goodwill, or any second hand store customer?  If you've been around for a while then you know I LOOOOVE me some thrift store shopping. I shop them all in search of bargains.

11. How do you feel about the death penalty?  Conflicted. My faith says it is not my job to judge. It also says I should obey the law of the land. And then there is that part of me that says someone who commits a heinous crime against another (especially a child) deserves to lose their life.

12. Are there brands of certain items that you will ONLY buy that brand? i.e. paper towels, ketchup, etc.  Yes, there are some things. Just the two examples given...I only buy Bounty towels and ketchup is only "real" ketchup if it is Heinz.

13. What are some things you will buy the store brand, and find the quality to be great? I often buy the store brand of pharmacy items because in most cases the product works just as well for a fraction of the price. I usually buy Great Value soft and strong toilet tissue...great quality and the cost is much less than the name brands.

14. What is a name brand that really disappointed you recently?  I can't think of anything.

15. Do you wear glasses or contacts?  I've been wearing glasses since I was 7 years old. They are the first thing I reach for in the morning and the last thing I take off at night.

Sunday Stealing

1. Who is your best friend and why? I am not really a "best friends" kind of person at this point in life. I have a few close friends, but I can't say I'm closer to one than another. I probably do more with my mom and my daughter than anyone else. What do you like to do together?  We tend to share a love of Jesus, books, antiques, and thrifting but nearly anything can be fun done together.

2. What is your town like? It's a small town nestled in the foothills of the Laurel Highlands stretch of the Appalachian Mountains. We have lovely parks and nature centers; walking, hiking, and bike paths; lots of museums; theater; a wonderful college; and our claims to fame include being the hometown of Fred Rogers and Arnold Palmer as well as the birthplace of banana splits and professional football.  What are your favorite places to go?  I guess I'd have to say the parks and the thrift and antique stores.

3. What is your favorite meal? Just about anything with shrimp. Where and when do you eat it?  I will eat it anywhere that does a good job at preparing it because I'm not very good at cooking it at home. I can do an "ok" meal of it, but I've never managed to master it.

4. What is your job like? I spend my days working at the county blind association. There are two parts to the place. One part provides document destruction and has recently begun manufacturing metal hooks (all different sorts) for the military and the mining industry. The other part (where I work) seeks to teach our clients life skills. We cover manners, personal hygiene, cooking, etc. We also try to teach functional academics and provide opportunities to experience art, music, science, and other things. We have plenty of parties and celebrations and my department is usually in charge of those. What do you like about it?  It's different every day, it's fun, and I get to make a difference in the lives of the clients. 

In these photos (taken this past week) we were planting flowers and enjoying s'mores cooked in the solar ovens they made.

5. What is your favorite place to go on vacation?  I haven't been on an actual vacation since 2019. I didn't go anywhere last year because it was the first year at my job and I didn't have any PTO time yet and I'm not going anywhere this year because I used up ALL of my PTO time being sick in January. Anyway, at this point I'd be thrilled to go anywhere.

6. What country would you like to visit one day?  It's a tie...Israel, Egypt, and Greece.

7. What bores you the most?  I've never been diagnosed, but I'm pretty sure after raising two kids with ADHD that I also have it. That said, I am very easily bored. It just depends on the situation. I can't say any one thing is worse than another.

8. What are you looking forward to this summer?  Hopefully, getting to do some fun things with the grandchildren on the weekends. Surely I will be through with sicknesses and I should have my first set of Euflexa (sp?) injections in my knee behind me so maybe I'll be getting around better.

9. What is your favorite film?  Dirty Dancing

10. Do you sing in the shower?  Only if no one is home. I can't carry a tune in a bucket or in the shower.

11. What is the best gift you’ve ever received?  The electric typewriter my parents gave me for Christmas my senior year of high school. We already knew I was going to school for journalism so it was much appreciated and much used.

12. Do you prefer being indoors or outdoors?  Outdoors if the weather is cooperating.  

13. When was the last time you cried, and why?  I don't know. There was a time when I cried a lot, but I've gone through a few really rough patches in the past when I cried so much I think I cried myself out. I don't really cry these days. Once in a while I feel like I wish I could, but the tears don't come.

14. What do you keep in your bag or handbag?  Wallet, keys, phone, mints, pens and highlighters, planner, sometimes a book, and right now a lot of cold medicines.

15. Can you play a musical instrument?  No

Sunday Stealing

I'm still taking a break from blogging (and enjoying it). I still haven't decided what I'm going to do in the end, but I'm cooped up today due to terrible pain in my leg when I walk on it and I'm a bit bored. The Sunday Stealing questions are interesting so....

Stolen from Swap Bot        

1. If you could witness any event from history, what would it be?  I'm not sure. Maybe Washington's inauguration or the Wright brothers' flight?

2. What do you think about conspiracy theories?  Some of them have proved to be correct.

3. Do you like cartoons? Do you have /had a favorite one?  I do like cartoons and my favorite will always be Scooby-Doo.

4. What did you most dislike in school times?  That's an easy one. Math.

5. What sounds are in your opinion relaxing? The sound of the sea? Traffic? Vacuum cleaner? Combine harvester on the field? Some kind of music? Birds singing?  I like the sound of rain or a thunderstorm. I guess I also like the white noise of a fan because we run a fan in the bedroom every night of the year.

6. What was the last thing you read?  Fudge Bites by Nancy Coco

7. What is one thing that has stumped you so hard you won't ever forget it?  If the universe began with the Big Bang and is supposedly infinite, but also constantly expanding until the day it collapses back in on itself....what exactly is it expanding into??  If the Big Bang happened when a super dense ball of matter exploded outward....where did the matter come from if that was the start of the universe?? This is why God and creation make perfect sense to me.

8. What are you interested in that most people aren’t?  I don't know. I studied to be a journalist so I tend to have a bit of interest in EVERYTHING. 

9. What’s something you really resent paying for?  I resent paying high taxes so the politicians can spend my money irresponsibly.

10. If you could choose a different time period and place to be born, when and where would it be?  I wouldn't change when or where I was born. I grew up in the USA of the 60's-early 80's. Arguably the best time ever to be a kid.

11. What's one question you would ask Superman?  Do you really think the glasses and name change fool anyone?

12. What's your favorite smell?  I have several favorites...Yankee Candle's MacIntosh scent, fresh Concord grapes, baking bread, the beach, babies, and puppies.  What's your least favorite smell?  Pick any smell from a nursing home.

13. How do you feel about cars becoming fully autonomous and having no steering wheel, breaks, or accelerators?  It sounds cool, but the technology has a long way to go before I'll trust my life to it.

14. What are your favorite books and authors?  My all-time favorite book is Little Women. My favorite authors are James Rollins (love his Sigma Force series) and Janet Evanovich (I've read all of her books).

15. Have you had a reading or palm reading done?  No.

Sunday Stealing

Stolen from League of Extraordinary Penpals

1. What are your plans for February?  I don't really have any yet. After spending most of January sick, I'd say my main plans involve staying healthy. Oh, I am planning to get online on February 1 to get tickets for a friend and I to see Casting Crowns at a local venue.

2. Did you ever have or go to sleepovers as a kid?  As many as my parents would allow me to have or attend. Tim and I still host sleepovers for the grands quite a bit.

3. Which books would you pick for a book binge?  Cozy mysteries. They are fun and easy to read.

4. What features do you love most about your home?  I used to love our deck but then we cut down the big Catalpa tree that overshadowed it and kept it cool. It's too hot to enjoy it most of the time now. I love my office/library/craft room. Having two bathrooms is nice. This is the first and only home I've lived in that has two. I love having the swimming pool in the backyard, too.

5. How often do you try something new?  Almost daily when I'm at work. My job involves being creative and entertaining.

6. What type of sushi is your favorite?  I've never had any sushi I've liked. It's just not my thing.

7. Do you prefer to relax or go on adventures during vacation?  It doesn't matter. I can be content lazing on the beach with a good book every day or I can be just as content running around and doing things every day.

8. Which colors look best on you?  Really bright cobalt blue always gets lots of compliments when I wear it. Left to my own choices I will choose black and the colors of autumn.

9. Do you like brunch?  Sure.

10. Do you get stage fright?  Oh my, yes!

11. Which podcasts do you like at the moment?  I don't really listen to any.

12. One thing that immediately makes your day better.  Spending time with my grandkids. 

13. Which family members are you closest to?  My husband, my daughter, and our two youngest grands.

14. Something you practice often.  Patience (it gets me through the day at work) and forgiveness (gets me through life in general).

15. Are you a light sleeper or a deep sleeper?  I don't sleep that many hours anymore, but for those I do sleep I'm a deep sleeper.

Sunday Stealing

"Stolen" from Pinterest today.

1. Your favorite part of the day. When I had jobs that allowed me to work my own hours or have summers off, I would have said mornings were the best part of the day. I loved them because they were quiet and it was just me. I would spend time doing my Bible study or getting lost in a good book. Now that I must get up and leave the house all year round, I think I enjoy the evenings the best. Tim and I are both home and spend the time relaxing, catching up, playing on our screens (tablet for him and laptop for me) or watching television.

2. Something you know a lot about.  I suppose I know a good bit about the different areas in which I have been employed: driving a school bus; dealing with those who have dementia; and these days dealing with those who have intellectual disabilities. I have to say that there is actually a good bit of overlap among the three.

3. An important person in your life.  There are several important people in my life, but today I will highlight my beautiful, precious, granddaughter. Though I am 55 years older than her, she is my soul sister. We are very much alike and she delights my heart!

4. Your favorite recipe.  I don't know that I have a favorite, but my family has always liked my meatloaf, which can be found in a copy of the older Betty Crocker cookbook. The newer ones do not have it. These days I know it pretty much by heart, but I rarely measure and just toss in this and that.

5. An event that turned out differently than planned.  I'd have to say New Year's Day since I woke up sick with Covid this year.

6. How you procrastinate. Why, I procrastinate very well, thank you! Seriously, I will procrastinate on just about everything.

7. The best type of surprise.  Ones involving family or friends and that catch me completely unaware.

8. Music that helps you relax.  I find any music that I like and can sing along to relaxing. 

9. A thing your life has in excess. Loved ones with health challenges...physical pain...stuff/clutter.

10. A book you want to read.  I'd like to read Matthew Perry's autobiography this year.

11. A person you’re always happy to see.  Any of my family.

12. What time do you go to sleep?  Usually between 10-11pm. If I go earlier I'll be awake in the night. I used to be a great sleeper, but age has stolen that from me.

13. A word to describe the past year.  Fast. Seriously, it went by in a blur!

14. Your favorite household chore.  A domestic goddess I am not, but if I must pick a chore....washing the dishes.

15. One thing you’d like to see.  Just one? There's so much of this world I haven't seen and would love to see. I guess maybe I'd put Greece at the top of the list. Photos from there are always so breathtakingly beautiful!

Thanks for stopping by. You can play along here if you'd like.

Sunday Stealing: ABC

It looks like I won't be making it to church in the morning so I'm going to jump in with the gang at Sunday Stealing today. 

Feel free to join in the fun here.

A - Ambition:  At my age I don't really have any career ambitions, but I suppose my number one personal ambition is to lose weight. Again. 

B - Birthday:  August 15 

C - Computer:  I have an HP laptop. 

D - Dream:  If we're talking about dreams in my sleep I rarely remember them and when I do it's because they are real doozies. If we are talking about a dream I have in life...I guess it would be that some day our son will realize cutting everyone from his life but his wife and her family isn't the answer. 

E - Exercise:  Not nearly as much as I should. I do get a bit every day with the consumers at work, but it's pretty mild and probably the only good thing about it is that it's better than none at all.

F - Favorite Food:  Seafood in general. Shrimp specifically. Just call me Bubba Gump. I love any kind of shrimp.

 

G - Garden:  I don't have a garden these days. I have a yard and even it is kind of neglected and badly in need of some TLC.

H - Hobby:  Reading, playing around online, pinning crafts and recipes on Pinterest I will never actually do, power napping...

I - Idol:  There are people I admire, but I don't have an idol.

J - Job:  I'm a direct care worker at the County Blind Association. I work in the adult training facility with consumers who are either blind or have intellectual disabilities (some have both). My job is kind of a combination of nursing aide and teacher.

K - Kids:  I have two. My son is 37, married with 2 (possibly 3) children. He hasn't spoken to us or any family members in over 3 years. My daughter is 31, married with 2 children, and she and her family live next door to us. We see them nearly every day.

L - Location:  A recliner in my living room, that's in my house, that's in Latrobe, that's in Pennsylvania.

M - Military:  I've never served. My husband was in the Marines and there have been many in my family tree who have served.

N - Name or Nickname:  My husband calls me Ace and the grands call me Nanny.

O - Optimist or Pessimist:  I think I'm more of an optimist, but I do have my down days just like anyone.

P - Pets:  These days just Daisy, a bossy little Toy Poodle.

Q - Quote:  Something I remind myself about all the time when I am tempted to take on someone else's trouble..."Not my monkeys, not my circus."

R - Reads:  It totally depends on my mood, but I do seem to read more mysteries and rom-coms than anything else.

S - School:  I went to college for 2 years as a journalism major, but I left when I got my MRS.

T - Travel:  I would love to travel, but we haven't done very much and right now I don't suppose it would be the best idea even if I could get my husband to go. Israel, Egypt and Greece have always topped my list of places I want to see.

U - Unfulfilled ambition:  Being a world famous globe-trotting reporter.

V - Vacation spot:  Chincoteague Island, VA has always been my happy place.

W - Wardrobe:  Pretty casual...jeans, leggings, t-shirts, and a few nicer things for church and special events.

X - X-tra facts about me:  I can't think of anything I haven't shared before.

Y - Years online:  I think we got our first computer and dial up service back in 1998 or 99. I've been blogging since 2001.

Z - Zodiac sign:  Leo and my Chinese sign is the dragon.

 

Falling Into Sunday Stealing

I haven't been around today to participate in Sunday Stealing, but the questions looked fun so I'm stealing them to do on my own.

1. Are there any fall-specific hobbies or crafts you enjoy pursuing?  I'm not really much of a crafter in real life, but at work I've somehow fallen into the role of the craft person. I have no idea how when several of my coworkers have tons of talent. Anyway, in that role I am always on the look out for simple fall crafts to do with the consumers. Recent favorites have included a beaded pumpkin and a refrigerator magnet that is made from different sizes of popsicle sticks and cardstock. It looks like a truck with a big pumpkin in the bed.

2. Do you have any favorite fall-inspired recipes you like to cook or bake?  I can't think of anything specific, but I do tend to switch over to making a lot of soups and casseroles. Anything baked tends to be pumpkin flavored. I love the heartier, savory foods that go with cooler weather.

3. Are you a fan of Halloween? If so, what's been your favorite costume?  I don't know that I'm a "fan" but I've always enjoyed making it a fun time for my kids and now my grandchildren. I don't usually dress up except in my role at work. I've been a school bus driver, an activities aide at a nursing home, and now I'm a direct care worker at the county blind association...jobs that mix well with celebrating the holidays. At my current job there is a HUGE Halloween party with a talent show, trick or treating, food, and dancing. I have a very good costume this year and can't wait to wear it. I'm dressing as Winifred Sanderson, the main witch from the movie Hocus Pocus. Two of my coworkers are dressing as her sisters. 

4.  Do you have any childhood memories related to the autumn season? Oh yes, so many! Jumping in leaves, bonfires, hunting season, trick-or-treating, football games, pumpkin farms, watching the Wizard of Oz on Thanksgiving weekend, Macy's parade.... As the saying goes, October is my favorite color!

5.  What kind of outdoor activities do you enjoy during the autumn months?  Going to festivals, corn mazes, and pumpkin patches. Taking walks in the leaves. Huddling around a bonfire. Going to a football game.

6. Do you look forward to 'sweata weatha'? What is your favorite go-to outfit for Fall? When I was younger I was definitely a sweater girl. When I got married I probably brought about 40 sweaters with me...and parted with them soon after because we moved to Florida. I don't wear as many sweaters these days, but I do look forward to wearing cold weather clothing. There's so much cute stuff! My go-to look is jeans, a long sleeve pull-over or turtleneck with something layered over it, and a pair of boots.

7. Are you a fan of pumpkin or apple flavored treats or beverages? I do like both, but I definitely like pumpkin more. I just bought pumpkin-spice Frosted Flakes today!

8. Which fall scents do you find most appealing? Pretty much all of them except for burning leaves. Those kick my allergies into overdrive. I also like one scent most people probably don't associate with fall. Concord grapes. We try to spend a weekend in Erie every October and visit all the wineries along the PA/NY border. The area is one of the largest producers of Concord grapes and if you hit the right time the smell of all those ripe grapes is AMAZING!

9. Do you like to visit apple orchards or pumpkin patches or corn mazes? I like all of them.

10. Have you ever participated in or attended a fall festival or harvest fair?  Yes, the next little town over from us has a huge 3-day festival every October. I've been going since I was a kid. There are hundreds of crafters, all types of musicians, sidewalk sales, so much food, and live re-enactments at the fort the festival is named for.

11. What's your favorite thing about autumn? I can't choose one thing. I love allllll of it!

12. Are you more of a cider or hot chocolate person when it comes to fall beverages? Both are good, but...well...chocolate.

13. What's your ideal way to spend a crisp autumn evening? Going to a football game or festival...something with lots of people who are just as excited about fall as I am.

14. Do you like to dress up for Halloween? What's your favorite costume or what costume do you plan for this year? Do you like to make your own costume?  Oops, I answered this one in an earlier question.

15. Are you a football fan? What's your favorite team? I do like football. I watch the Steelers and when it comes to college football I root for Oklahoma. Go Sooners!

Sunday Stealing: Name Your Favorite

Stolen from Ned the Duck

Name Your Favorite…

    Place:  Chincoteague Island, VA

    Color:  I can't pick just one. I like the whole family of autumn colors.

 

    Smell:  Again...just one? Some of my favorites are the beach, bread baking in the oven, freshly baked chocolate chip cookies, babies, puppies, and ripe concord grapes.

    Magazine:  Country Sampler, though I absolutely loathe how much they now charge for magazines. Ten dollars is a cheap one!

 

    Texture:  Soft fuzzy acrylic blankets and socks.

    Thing to do when bored:  Play around on the laptop or read.

    Precious stone:  Blue tourmaline or diamonds.

    Animal:  Dogs

    Time in history:  I remember the 1970s - 1980s pretty fondly.

    Font:  I guess Verdana since it's what I use here on the blog.

    Sound:  The laughter of children or those with special needs.

    Fruit:  Peaches

    Vegetable:  Zucchini

    Store/shop:  Amazon

 

    Quote:  "Not my circus. Not my monkeys." It reminds me not to fret over things that are not mine to worry about.

    Historical figure:  Teddy Roosevelt and Ernest Hemmingway fascinate me. Both lived such adventurous lives.

    Letter:  I've never given it any thought, but I gave both of my kids "M" names so maybe it's M?

    Memory:  Sitting around the kitchen table one Thanksgiving Eve with my mom, dad and Tim...all of us working together to make the stuffing and prepare some of the other dishes.

    Dessert:  Pineapple Upside-down Cake

    Candy:  Lindor chocolate truffles

    Restaurant:  Probably China Garden, the neighborhood Chinese place. We get food from there more than anywhere.

    Language:  I'm going to go with English since it's the only one I'm fluent in, but I think Italian sounds lovely when I hear it.

    Thing to learn about:  All things from history.

 

    Thing about yourself:  I am able to forgive even those who have hurt me terribly and I am stronger than I usually think I am. 

Thanks to Bev for finding the questions.

Play along here.