30/30 ... Your Favorite Teacher

30/30

Question # 13

Your Favorite Teacher

I think I am going to have to split this up in stages again..

I have had some really GREAT teachers in my life..

(and some piss poor ones too)

Anyway........

Elementary

Bar non...

Sr Mary McClain ... my 2nd grade teacher.

I had come to parochial school later than some of my classmates.

and in my case right smack in the middle of the year.

I was definitely a fish out of water.

I remember on the very first day... getting up to sharpen my pencil... and

Suddenly

every eye in the class was on me...

I couldn't figure out why?

Later I found out that unlike public school you had to raise your hand and ask permission to get out of your seat..

for EVERYTHING......including sharpening pencils.

Sister didn't reprimand me in front of the others, but pulled me aside on the playground and very sweetly and gently explained the rules.

She was always very kind

Not to mention she was one of the few nuns that smiled alot and actually had fun...

I just loved her.

I liked her so much that...

between her and Sister Bertrille ( The Flying Nun)

I wanted to be a nun.

( That didn't last long)

Apparently it didn't last long for her either..

Years later I heard she left the convent and started a whole new life.

But my gosh..... She was a wonderful teacher and person.

Middle

Still in Catholic School ...

8th grade..

Mrs Callen

I don't know why... but she seemed to like me, which was kind of amazing since it was a given that she preferred the boys.

(Hmmm.. I wonder if my upper lip hair had any bearing on it?

Naaah...

besides...

it wasn't as much of an issue during puberty...not like it is now during menopause.)

I like to think it's because she got my humor.

I think I was even voted teacher's pet.

This I assure you was a great change ....

considering I was never buddy buddy with any of my teachers.

She definitely gave me alot of leeway.

Allowing me to work on special projects and help her with things in the class, which gratefully

kept me out of doing some of the more mundane things...

She ALMOST...

treated me like an adult....

Like I said ...

I think she got my humor.

I was eternally grateful that she took a liking to me since everyone knows that 8th grade and be a bugger.

High School

I had quite a few teachers I liked in High School..

but one that truly made me think was Mrs Arrick

She was my English /Literature.. teacher

I remember at the time thinking she was kind of a quasi ex hippy

even though she really didn't dress like one..

Instead it was more her manner of speaking ... and her extreme excitement for

words... literature.. Free Thinking... and above all READING.

I credit her for opening my eyes to all sorts of interesting stories and books...most that I probably would not have been exposed to.

She also helped me/ us look deeper into the meaning of what an author was trying to say..

Everything from Shakespeare to Dante's Inferno.

She had an excitement for teaching and learning that can not be faked.

If I had anything that I could teach...

I would want to be a teacher just like her.

College

Mr Dumont Hixson..

He was (perhaps still is) that rumpled professor with a shock of uncombed hair. sensible shoes..and day old stubble...who basically when looking at the outside....

didn't look like much..

I had seen him in the halls many times and often thought ..
Really Dude?......The same damn sweater again?

But as is often the case with judging a person on the outside..

I am often schooled in the reality of my own stupidity.

Because you see...

The man was a force to be reckoned with

Only not in a loud or obnoxious way.

Where Mrs Arrick left off ... He picked up

He too was a person who inspired me to think about things.

and perhaps see things from different points of view.

That

Is a quality that has immeasurable value

To be able to reason?....Worth it's weight in gold.

He was one of the few people in my life to acknowledge that intelligence is not necessarily always measured in a class room.

That sometimes the people we meet who teach us the most ...

may have little or no formal education at all.

(You don't hear THAT from a college professor too often)

I had known this to be true all along ...

Since all the profound lessons in life and examples of true greatness...

came from my parents.

Who themselves only had a 3rd and 4th grade education.

Yet what they accomplished in their lives...many with far more "education"

have not been able to do.

It was just nice to hear it from someone who had their Doctorate

Yes I have had many many teachers in my life..

and will probably continue to have alot more.

I am grateful to each an every one of them..

Even the not so great ones.

( Sorry Mrs Horsely.. you made 3rd grade a holy hell)

From you....I learned what I DIDN'T want to be like .

A lesson is a lesson

Teachers... GOOD teachers are only second to

GOOD parents..

I kind of believe that everyone we meet is a potential teacher..

given the chance.

Thank You to all the teachers in life...

at school and in life.

Your work space.

The best part of your day.

Something you refuse to do.

Last book you read.

Meaning behind your blog name.

Talent you wish you had.

A photo of you without makeup.

Last item you purchased.

Something that makes you sad.

15 Facts about you.

Your favorite thing right now.

Best Christmas present you ever got.

Your favorite teacher.

Something you’re thankful for.

A photo from your childhood.

Something you crave.

Your worst hair moment (if you skip this one, it’s totally cool).

Favorite smells.

Last time you cried.

Last time you had to apologize to someone.

Something that scares you.

Something that really bugs you.

What you dislike most about your appearance.

Celebrity crush.

A trait you deplore in others.

A photo taken 10 years ago.

First book/movie/song that moved you.

What turns you off?

The story behind one of your scars.

This one was left blank so I will have to think of it when I get to it, unless anyone has a suggestion.

30/30...Best Christmas Gift You Ever Got

30/30

Question # 12

Best Christmas gift you ever got

I came up with a couple different answers to this ..mainly because I have been given so may nice gifts throughout my life...

So I thought I would break it down by stages of my life.

Childhood..

The first Christmas I remember I must have been about 4-5

Three gifts vividly come to mind

1. A life size doll I mean LIFE size ( You would hold her hand and she would walk )

Frankly she freaked my out a bit..

those blinking eyes and all..

I have to say the one I got was prettier than this one.

Mine had long dark hair and blue eyes

Too bad those peepers freaked me out so much.

2. A pink jewelry box that had the wind up ballerina in the middle...

I think every little girl gets this gift at some point in her life... I LOVED mine. I loved it so much I wore the poor little ballerina out !..

Her pirouetted leg broke off .. her Tu Tu had to be glue back on and finally the end came when the knob in the back gave out..... I sprung the spring.

(like I said... I LOVED that thing)

3. But....My Favorite thing that year?.. A miniature typewriter.... not just any old toy typewriter..

this one was made of metal and not an old cheapy plastic model..

I think I truly thought I was churning out Shakespeare quality literature on that thing...

or

at the very least I was on the cusp of being a really good secretary.

Young Adult

This one is easy..

I remember the first year Mr R and I started "Going Out"

( I gotta tell ya.. that term has always seemed pretty funny to me.. I mean at 15 you're not driving yet.. and even though he had his drivers permit. there was no way in holy hell my parents were gonna let me get into a car with him... so really where are you going when you say ... "Yeah... We're going out" )

But I digress..

Anyway.. we started officially Going Out in October...

and of course that's not that far off from December and Christmas..

what to do .. what to do..

I mean You want to buy your new man something nice without going overboard..

At least least you want to buy something as nice as your 15 year old babysitting budget will allow..

That year we both (Unknowingly) got each other ID bracelets..

which were pretty popular back in the 70's

His had his name engraved on top and my name on the bottom.

Mr R(omance) was already showing his ardor even in his youth because he totally out did me in his choice of engraving..

Mine said

I Love You..

with his name on the bottom..

I assure you...

THAT

my friends was quite a statement to make for all the world to see as I flipped my wrist around making sure everyone saw it..

I felt like the queen of the world..wearing it.

(But kind of like a schmuck for not thinking of writing that myself)

Adulthood

Like I said... I have been blessed with SO many wonderful gifts throughout my life.. far too many to mention. ..

(Without seeming like a bragger..and I wouldn't want that now would I... or would I?)

anyway..

One year I had seen a beautiful wood bench in some fancy dancy magazine..

Which was Far Far more than we could afford especially with two small children that were anxiously waiting for Santa to bring them gifts.

I had shown my mother in law the picture and commented on how lovely it was and how perfectly it would go in my kitchen adding not only a nice visual touch but added seating when needed.

Then we both choked at the price tag..... and put the magazine away.

That Christmas upon arriving at my in laws house I was told I needed to cover my eyes because I had a big surprise in store for me..

Yep you guessed it.. There in the middle of the living room was my beautiful wooden bench.

Not the one from the said Fancy Dancy magazine but a gorgeous duplicate HAND MADE by my father in law !

It not only looked exactly like the one pictured......it was made with an even nicer grade of wood...

Not to mention all the time attention to detail and love that he put in this piece.

I stood there in the dim light of the Christmas tree and started to cry.

Not only because of the thoughtfulness of the gift but because of the gratitude I had/ have for this wonderful family I had married into.

So as everyone else began opening their gifts.. I sat and gazed at the gift I never thought I would have.

*A side note to this little story is that in that year.. Mr R had started a new job, with two small children and a very VERY limited budget

Santa and Mrs Claus decided they could not purchase gifts for each other that year.

But somehow in spite of not having alot of material things, That Christmas will stand out in my mind for a long time to come..

(Well that and the one where the Christmas tree fell on the kids as they were watching T.V... but that is another story for another time..)

Your work space.

The best part of your day.

Something you refuse to do.

Last book you read.

Meaning behind your blog name.

Talent you wish you had.

A photo of you without makeup.

Last item you purchased.

Something that makes you sad.

15 Facts about you.

Your favorite thing right now.

Best Christmas present you ever got.

Your favorite teacher.

Something you’re thankful for.

A photo from your childhood.

Something you crave.

Your worst hair moment (if you skip this one, it’s totally cool).

Favorite smells.

Last time you cried.

Last time you had to apologize to someone.

Something that scares you.

Something that really bugs you.

What you dislike most about your appearance.

Celebrity crush.

A trait you deplore in others.

A photo taken 10 years ago.

First book/movie/song that moved you.

What turns you off?

The story behind one of your scars.

This one was left blank so I will have to think of it when I get to it, unless anyone has a suggestion.

Your work space.

The best part of your day.

Something you refuse to do.

Last book you read.

Meaning behind your blog name.

Talent you wish you had.

A photo of you without makeup.

Last item you purchased.

Something that makes you sad.

15 Facts about you.

Your favorite thing right now.

Best Christmas present you ever got.

Your favorite teacher.

Something you’re thankful for.

A photo from your childhood.

Something you crave.

Your worst hair moment (if you skip this one, it’s totally cool).

Favorite smells.

Last time you cried.

Last time you had to apologize to someone.

Something that scares you.

Something that really bugs you.

What you dislike most about your appearance.

Celebrity crush.

A trait you deplore in others.

A photo taken 10 years ago.

First book/movie/song that moved you.

What turns you off?

The story behind one of your scars.

This one was left blank so I will have to think of it when I get to it, unless anyone has a suggestion.

30/30... What Is Your Favorite Thing Right Now?

30/30

Question #11

Your Favorite Thing Right Now

Right about now my favorite thing is the Internet.

No really lately I have been having a love affair with the internet.

What a time we live in that so much information is right at our finger tips..

It's amazing.

So besides the Internet and

trying to figure out

new and exciting things that can be done.

My MOST favorite thing right now is the day I spent with my

beautiful daughter in Birmingham

We had a blast.

First stop was lunch...

as I have posted before one of my favorite things is Panera's Chicken and wild rice soup...

Sunday was the kind of day you needed to start out with warm soup.

From there we decided to practice taking pictures ...

after all we have invested in some really nice camera's ... and though the photography class we want to sign up for isn't until the spring, we thought

" Why not go out on one of the coldest days of the year and get some shots."I love the look of this church right in the center of town..

and of course

I LOVES me some Google!

Round the corner of Mitchell's

OK...

It's bloody cold..

Let's take a picture of us taking pictures then find someplace warm

Well Well Well...

What do we have here...

Is it?

Can it be?

YES!!!!

The Cupcake Station !!!

Oh and Look...

It's their "Crazy Days" Special..

How appropriate..

Because obviously we were crazy for walking around town in this ridiculously cold weather.

What could we do?

We HAD to stop in.

Folks..

This mini cupcake....

tasted like a teardrop from an Angel..

( A teardrop only because it was gone in almost one bite)

Was that the Hallelujah choir I just heard??

You can see that Maria wasn't into as much as me..

Ha...ha ha ha ha ha...

Sorry it's just so funny...

How can you say no to something that looks this good?

It was like the Cindy Crawford of the cupcake world.

Of course all that is needed with this little bad boy.. is a nice cup of coffee.

By the by..

Now that I have you here.. what do you think..

I wore my new glasses around town but am still trying to get used to them..

With...

Or

With out?

Just thought I'd ask...

( Please be nice.. I am menopausal and kinda sensitive...)

All I can say is.

THIS.. is my favorite thing.. right now..

and always.Thanks Maria.. Had a Blast !!!

30/30... 15 Facts About You.

30/30

Question # 10

15 Facts About You

1.I was born in Italy

I was 16 months old when my Mom and I came to the United States

2.I did not speak very much English when I went to Kindergarten
(The teacher told my Mom that while playing with the other children I would suddenly break out in Italian.
The kids would laugh at me wondering what the heck I was babbling about.

3.Every now and again....I like to swear...

Now I am not proud of this fact, because I realize that it is not Lady Like

Nor is it a sign of high intelligence.

In fact I am very aware that it is a vulgar practice... and yet...

SOMETIMES..

there IS no other word other than the one you know you should never use.

(Hey..... a fact is a fact.. even when it's not pretty.)

4.When I was little I wanted to grow up and be a Nun

or ...

a Mom.

Since I like to swear apparently being a Nun had to be ruled out.

Mom it was

( Everyone knows Moms are given enough reasons to swear ... so it worked out to be a great career choice I must say.)

5. I learned to read at a very young age

I have had a love affair with books ever since

6. So far I have only fainted once in my life

(Age 13 blood draw.. She was part Vampire)

7. I met Mr R at age 14 ( He was 15) we dated for 6 years and we married at ages 21&22

He is the only man I have ever Kissed* I mean REALLY kissed/Been Intimate with/ or Loved.

You know we live in a time where people change partners at almost the same pace they change their toilet paper roll...

So of course I know this sounds absolutely Victorian, almost unbelievable

but I am very proud of it... and wear it like a badge of honor

besides you know what they say

* Once you find the best.. No need to try the rest.He is the best.

8. For the birth of my son....

I was in labor on and off for almost 3 days !!

(He was 9lbs.10oz )

It is a miracle I ever had another child.

9. My daughter was so cramped

that she was facing the wrong way

The Doctor had to reach in and flip her around..

(she was 9 lbs 1 oz)

After she was born ...

I decided I was done giving birth to toddlers.

10. I am allergic to cats and feather pillows.

(Even cute cats)

11. I want to meet Oprah and Martha Stewart so bad

I could cry.

12. I was cooking at the stove by age 4.

What can I say... in this family...

cooking is hardcore.

( * I hated flipping fried eggs for fear of getting splattered.)

I got over it.

13.I don't do well with compliments ...

Especially in person and I tend to make jokes because of how uncomfortable I feel.

14.I Have THE BEST sense of humor

No really THE BEST... I can almost always find something good or funny in any situation.

15.I am a Gemini.

That means I love to communicate....

If you know me..

By golly you

KNOW

How much I LOVE to communicate!

Blah... Blah... Blah...

16. IF I could find a way to talk and make money .....

I so totally would

( Anybody out there that can hook a girl up with a talk show?)

17.Because I am a Gemini I quite often *Genuinely see both sides of a situation.

It sometimes seems like I don't take a stand.. but come on...

it's hard when you

"Get"

both sides of a situation.

18.I can be pretty funny when I want or need to be...

but there is an entirely different side to me as well....

a much more serious and insightful me.( I don't let her come out to play too often.. she scares people)

19.I guess I sometimes refer to myself in the third person.

This scares people too.

20.I don't like to be told what to do..

As is evident by adding 5 more facts than what was asked for..

That's it...

I think you know more about me than is necessary..

Now go Have a great day !!

Your work space.

The best part of your day.

Something you refuse to do.

Last book you read.

Meaning behind your blog name.

Talent you wish you had.

A photo of you without makeup.

Last item you purchased.

Something that makes you sad.

15 Facts about you.

Your favorite thing right now.

Best Christmas present you ever got.

Your favorite teacher.

Something you’re thankful for.

A photo from your childhood.

Something you crave.

Your worst hair moment (if you skip this one, it’s totally cool).

Favorite smells.

Last time you cried.

Last time you had to apologize to someone.

Something that scares you.

Something that really bugs you.

What you dislike most about your appearance.

Celebrity crush.

A trait you deplore in others.

A photo taken 10 years ago.

First book/movie/song that moved you.

What turns you off?

The story behind one of your scars.

This one was left blank so I will have to think of it when I get to it, unless anyone has a suggestion.

30/30..Something That Makes You Sad...

30/30

Question #9

Something that makes you sad

I wouldn't say I get sad too ... too often.

Over all I think I am a pretty happy person

My greatest downfall ... one that can lead me down that slippery slope into sadness is worry.

Having said that....

I do get sad on occasion.

I get sad when I seem to care and show genuine interest in/ for someone

and they don't seem to have that same level of care or interest in me or what I have to say.

I mean...

I get that most people want to talk about themselves and ramble on and on about what is going on in their lives.

But really?..

Does it take SO much to genuinely ask about the other person?

Ask how they feel?

Take the time to find out what is going on with them?

What is on THEIR minds?

Meh..
Maybe it's just me being sensitive.

Another thing that makes me sad is

Being away from the ones I love.

My sister in law is in England..

(Not too convenient to go and have a cup of coffee with her...that's for sure)

But she's happy ... so... I am happy.

For now at least calls and the computer is the way we stay connected.

Nothing stays the same forever.

My Son and daughter in law also live pretty far from home.

I kinda miss the day to day stuff that goes on.. and I worry about how things are going in general

I know I know... they are both grown people and have been very capable of taking care of themselves for quite a while.. but what can I say...

Sometimes it makes me sad that they aren't closer

* By the way....

If you're reading this ...

don't get all worried or bummed out..It's just your old Mom trying to answer the question.

You know I love you guys and am happy that you are forging a good life together.

(Again) ....Nothing stays the same forever.

Man... I think this question could end up getting me in trouble...

Whew..

I guess I will end with one more thing that makes me sad.. and it kind goes along with what I have been saying.. and that is...

Missing the people I love..

In this world... and ... the next

Although quite a few years have past since my Dad and my Mother in law have passed

I still find myself getting a little sad at family gatherings..

I get a little bummed out each time one of the nieces or nephews reaches a milestone event or Birthday.

When one of them says or does something funny or touching ..

I stop and think how much my father would have enjoyed seeing these little ones of his.

It seems unfair that he is not here with us.

While the weddings of my children this past year were decidedly Happy Happy events in our lives..

At each one .. I couldn't help but think how much my mother in law would have wanted to see her only grandchildren get married.

She would have been the first one out on that dance floor ... whooping it up!

Yes I do get sad sometimes...

But luckily for me.. It doesn't happen too often..

and generally I snap out of it pretty quickly

I have often said..

"I don't have great Brains or Beauty..

But God has blessed me over and above

with a great sense of humor."

and that my Friends has been my greatest gift...

I tell ya.. a laugh

(even at yourself)

Will get you pretty far in life.

Amen... and Hallelujah..

So glad THIS question is over and done with.

It was making me kinda sad..

Just Kidding

Have a great day !!!

Your work space.

The best part of your day.

Something you refuse to do.

Last book you read.

Meaning behind your blog name.

Talent you wish you had.

A photo of you without makeup.

Last item you purchased.

Something that makes you sad.

15 Facts about you.

Your favorite thing right now.

Best Christmas present you ever got.

Your favorite teacher.

Something you’re thankful for.

A photo from your childhood.

Something you crave.

Your worst hair moment (if you skip this one, it’s totally cool).

Favorite smells.

Last time you cried.

Last time you had to apologize to someone.

Something that scares you.

Something that really bugs you.

What you dislike most about your appearance.

Celebrity crush.

A trait you deplore in others.

A photo taken 10 years ago.

First book/movie/song that moved you.

What turns you off?

The story behind one of your scars.

This one was left blank so I will have to think of it when I get to it, unless anyone has a suggestion.

30/30...Last Item You Purchased

30/30

Question # 8

Last Item(s) you purchased

OK a bit of a tiresome... mundane question but I guess if you don't have anything better to write about this works fine.

Today...

After work....

I went to Trader Joes....

and bought.....

DRUM ROLL PLEASE

Asparagus

Goat Milk Brie

(To be used for tonight's dinner ... rolled together in pounded chicken)

Pizza dough

Assorted Italian sliced Lunch Meat

(To be used together for tomorrow's meal of pasta and meatballs)

Seafood Blend

(To used for Saturday's Seafood Chowda)

Now that is what I bought for communal use...

If you were to ask me what was the last thing I bought for MYSELF

It would be..

DRUM ROLL AGAIN.. if you please.

Panera's Cream of Chicken soup with Rice !!!

Hey.. a girl's gotta eat ...

Yum Yum Yummy

So there you have it.. a deep intricate look into the riveting life I lead.

Did it blow your skirt up?

I would tell you about my wash and rinse cycle and the vacuum cleaning schedule but that might just blow your mind.. so I'll just stop for now.

Go ahead..

take a breather.. I know it's alot to take in.

Till tomorrow!

Your work space.

The best part of your day.

Something you refuse to do.

Last book you read.

Meaning behind your blog name.

Talent you wish you had.

A photo of you without makeup.

Last item you purchased.

Something that makes you sad.

15 Facts about you.

Your favorite thing right now.

Best Christmas present you ever got.

Your favorite teacher.

Something you’re thankful for.

A photo from your childhood.

Something you crave.

Your worst hair moment (if you skip this one, it’s totally cool).

Favorite smells.

Last time you cried.

Last time you had to apologize to someone.

Something that scares you.

Something that really bugs you.

What you dislike most about your appearance.

Celebrity crush.

A trait you deplore in others.

A photo taken 10 years ago.

First book/movie/song that moved you.

What turns you off?

The story behind one of your scars.

This one was left blank so I will have to think of it when I get to it, unless anyone has a suggestion.

30/30... A Picture Of You With No Make Up

30/30

Question # 7

A Picture of you with No Make Up

Well here ya go.....

OK...

That wasn't really me... but I figured it might soften the blow...

and by the way...I would like to go on the record by saying...

I think this is a really mean thing to have someone do..

Marcy...

in the RAW !

It ain't pretty but then again neither is 50 !

Next

With Make Up..

Come on...

You have to admit in spite of the poor picture quality it is a bit of an improvement.

Yes folks I have reached that magical age where

It takes a village

(Of Cosmetics)

To help me face the world... or is it so the world can face me.

Your work space.

The best part of your day.

Something you refuse to do.

Last book you read.

Meaning behind your blog name.

Talent you wish you had.

A photo of you without makeup.

Last item you purchased.

Something that makes you sad.

15 Facts about you.

Your favorite thing right now.

Best Christmas present you ever got.

Your favorite teacher.

Something you’re thankful for.

A photo from your childhood.

Something you crave.

Your worst hair moment (if you skip this one, it’s totally cool).

Favorite smells.

Last time you cried.

Last time you had to apologize to someone.

Something that scares you.

Something that really bugs you.

What you dislike most about your appearance.

Celebrity crush.

A trait you deplore in others.

A photo taken 10 years ago.

First book/movie/song that moved you.

What turns you off?

The story behind one of your scars.

This one was left blank so I will have to think of it when I get to it, unless anyone has a suggestion.