30/30 .. Last time you had to apologize to someone.

30/30

Question # 21

Last time you had to apologize to someone.

Sorry it's been so long since I posted.

What can I say... Sometimes you're just not feelin it.

But I am back at it ...

Determined to try and finish these damned questions already.

So..

Here's a twofer..

A post that let's you know what's been going on.. as well as answering the question.

A few days back Maria asked me if I had looked in on one of my favorite blogs

Pioneerwoman.

( I had not..)

She noticed that Ree (The Pioneerwoman) was on her book signing tour for her 2nd book

Black heels to Tractor Wheels

Since she wasn't coming to Michigan.

Ohio

(much to my chagrin)was our only other option.

So off we were were..on a 3 1/2 hour drive to Columbus.

We being Myself.. Maria.. and Mike ...My son in law.

(How that poor guy got roped into that I'll never know.)

But being the good guy that he is.. not only did he drive... he sat through that drive listening as Maria and I took turns reading the love story of her meeting her now husband Marlboro Man....

Talk about putting a guy through hell..

A road trip with his wife and mother in law through OHIO...would have been bad enough.. throw in listening to a sappy cowboy meets city sleeker gal romance to boot

( no pun intended)

All the way down to (That other State) well.... that's like purgatory on wheels.

We got there in record time.. I was tickled to see that even though there were some folks sitting and others milling about.. we had gotten there a full half hour early!!

AND !!!

PRIMO seats right up near the desk she'd be signing at !!!

As we sat down we were told that we had to have a ticket to get our books signed.

I stayed put since our seats were literally feet away from PW herself.. while Maria came back with a neon green card ... the ticket that would lead to us meeting PDub herself.

What happened next can only be described as controlled chaos... within minutes of getting our ticket.

It seemed like someone parked a bus outside the Barnes and Noble and simply let everyone off..

The place was filling up fast !

So much so that I was starting to get a little anxious...

You see.. I have this thing about large crowds..

basically..

THEY FREAK ME OUT !!!

Even when I go to the movies.. I have to have an isle seat.

I eyeball the exit signs and their placement...all in case I want / or have to get the heck out.

The size of this crowd was starting to cause me a little unrest to say the least..

but then it happened..the crowds parted.. and Ree Pioneerwoman Drummond was lead to the small table literally feet in front of us.

Cameras flashed ... People clapped ... and soon I was feeling better..

especially after I heard her say under her breath with a cute little

Oklahoma accent..

"Gosh.. I'm so nervous"

I tell ya.. if she was nervous.. it didn't show at all. she looked even cuter in person than the pictures on her blog.. or .. the few times I have seen her on T.V.

She couldn't have been more friendly..

She set about signing books right away..

Now the thing is...the crowd we were sitting with was actually set up for the handicapped!

(Man did we feel like schmucks)

So one by one as the infirmed got there pictures taken and books signed...

We basically walked backwards from the now forming line..an announcement was made that after the folks in front were done they would be allowing anyone with a red ticket to come up and get in line..

That's when we noticed that some people had red tickets blue green yellow and so on..

Not knowing how this color coded system worked .. we finally thought to ask..

Apparently.. we were using the colors of the rainbow.. and it's order to determine how people were to line up..

Now mind you the line was stretched out to the back of the store..

wrapping around and around..

For those of you LIKE ME.. who aren't sure exactly what that order is...

I found out and I'll fill you in.

Red

Orange

Yellow

Green

Blue

Indigo

Violet

Now too bad right?.

Green being

Smack dab in the middle of the crowd..

We thought so too..

UNTIL

We found out that there were SO many people for this event...

they had to use TWO rainbows..

A pastel... and.. a neon.

That meant that we had to get through the entire pastel rainbow.. right into the middle of the neon as well !!!!

Later...We found out that they ran out of rainbow cards.. and had to start using WHITE

A

B

C

It was a big crowd to say the least.

So..

four hours later..

Yes you read that right.. FOUR hours later we finally got our turn to meet and greet

Pioneerwoman

Up close ... and personal.

She was so down to earth..and ..sweet

Taking time with each person to chat.

For us...it was worth it

After all what else did we have to do on a Saturday afternoon?

Laundry??

But for poor Mike.. UGH

I felt so bad for him...

He was such a trooper.. first he walked around the book store.. then over to Target then over to every other store in the strip.

Finally I sent Maria with him to get a bite to eat.... after all we were going nowhere fast...still on Pastel Blue with not a neon in sight.

When they got back from dinner.. I watched as he sat in the Anime book section oblivious to the nonsense around him.. laughing silently at something funny Japanese cartoon character.

That's when I did it..

I walked over to him.. handed him a Barnes and Nobel Gift card.

(What else could I give him... that's where I had been chained the last 3 hours)

and apologized .

"We had no idea that the outing would be so long...

We thought it would be a there and back type deal .. Instead it ended up being an all day event."

He laughed it off ... like the good guy that he is.

So one more time..

and this time

On the World Wide Web!

"Michael... I am heartily sorry we put you through all that girl stuff

and Thank You again for being such a good sport."

The day was long...

but we left Happy.

***

P.S.

Thanks Maria

For inviting me to go... keeping me upbeat throughout the day...

and for sharing the pictures you took..

We definatly

"Made Memories"

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 Time You Cried.

30/30

Question # 19

Last Time You Cried

Some might say that I am a pretty upbeat person,

and for the most part I would agree.

I admit....I like to keep things light.

When I think about it,

I haven't really Boo Hoo cried in a while now.

.

This could either be a good thing..

or a

Very Very Bad thing.

Because for me.. when the flood gates finally open...

It's usually not very pretty.

If I am being honest.

That all too familiar lump in my throat

Tears welling up in my eyes.

and

Pain in the middle of my chest all took place while preparing this post.

You see February 16th is the 5th anniversary of the passing of my unbelievably wonderful Mother in law.

I am in shock that I have to even write that.

She has been gone 5 YEARS!

She was more like a second Mother

not

Mother in law

My God..... how I miss her

So...

If I am gonna cry...

It's gonna be over missing her so much.

Love You

Mom.

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... Favorite Smells

3o/3o

Question # 18

Favorite Smells

Scented Candles..

( They are all over the house)

New Car Smell

Fresh Flowers

Homemade Cookies

Clean Linen

Food at a Family Gathering

Fresh Pine Needles

Coffee First thing in the Morning

Freshly Baked Bread

A Newly Bathed Baby

Something I CANNOT wait to smell

SPRING !!!!

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... Your Worst Hair Moment

30/30

Question #17

Your Worst Hair Moment

The Picture is small...

and

I'm gonna keep it that way...

Ugh !!!

(Need I say more ? )

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.

Happy Birthday Pa

Happy Birthday Pa...

We miss you everyday.

30/30... Something You Crave

30/30

Question #16

Something You Crave.

I am learning a few things about myself with this 30 questions in 30 days series.

1. It's not always easy to think about the answer to some of these questions

and

2. Obviously when I do come up with something... it is often ends up being multiple answers.

(That's the Gemini in me)

So much for following directions.

Ok

I decided to make sure I understood exactly what the meaning of "Crave" is

so I looked

it up.

According to Merriam Webster Dictionary

This is what it means.

a. to ask for earnestly:

b. to want greatly:

c.to yearn for crave:

d. to have a strong inward desire:

So I wouldn't say that I "Crave"

or Yearn or have a great desire ...

Alright I am lying I crave alot of things..

Not really really bad.. but ...

I'm not gonna lie...there are some things that I wouldn't mind possessing...

Here is the list.

Right about now I could really go for a bowl of Haydon's Lobster Bisque soup.

This stuff is.....

To die for!

Heck if I'm gonna really go all out I would also really LOVE a

homemade oatmeal chocolate chip cookie (or three or four) and a

Starbucks Salted Carmel Hot Chocolate too.

Just saying.

Some other things I am kind of lusting after are

The Nike Shox ...

"One day...these WILL be mine.."

"Oh yes...

YOU Will be mine !!!"

Next on my "Wish/Crave" list

is a shining set of ALL CLAD pots and pans

( That is IF ... I ever win the lottery)

Yes...

They are the bomb diggity

Not only are they sturdy ... oven safe... and cook like a dream..

they are shiny and pretty..

What?

Speaking of the bomb diggity

the other kitchen crave item is the

Henkel Knives set.

One can only dream of these bad boys..

They are I am afraid also a bit pricey.

Worth every penny.

but still Pricey.

"You and I my friends I'm afraid will probably never cohabitate."

Ok... out of the kitchen and on to the new hobby/interest.

Photography..

I can't wait for the spring class Maria and I are going to take.

( I crave SPRING... and.. the class)

but in the mean time I have been perusing some sites and found some

lovely gadgets that I'd think I'd like to play with...

IF

only

If
I had the extra money.

apparently this is a must have...

TRKER MK3 45" CMPCT TRIPOD W/HEAD/CASE

This Gorillapod is more of a
Fun Have.

Which brings us to the Mac Daddy of what I would sell my luggage for.

The next three items...

Items so out there...

that I can only allow myself to dream the impossible dream.

and that is...

Wood Floors

A Stripper..

( Wallpaper Stripper dirty minds)

and

a painter..

If I had all three of these things..
OH

MY

Gosh !!!!

That would mean the look and feel of my home would change completely.

I grant you

that in it's day the tasteful

wall to wall to wall to wall

wallpaper was happening..

But guess what..

it ain't happening anymore..

Someone come and please rip the 80's off these walls.

All I can say is if..

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha

(Sorry I just had to take a moment and roll around the floor in laughter

at the absurdity of the thought of this happening )

But...IF those three things were to actually happen?

I would feel like the Queen of England....

Oprah...

Martha Stewart

and a couple of Disney Princesses

all wrapped up in one!

For now...

I just cannot forsee too many of the things I crave for materializing..

well other than the lobster bisque.. because after all Valentines day is coming .... and I am a cheap date.

Ultimately..everything I listed are just things..

so If I wanted to be truly altruistic..

I guess I should opt for

instead...

I know...

it's such a pageant answer but... hey..

it'd be nice too.

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 Photo From Your Childhood

30/30

Question # 15

A Photo from your Childhood

Sorry but I'm not really very good at scanning this stuff..

not to mention the fact that I am as old and crumbly as the paper these photos are on.

Still I thought I'd share a little glimpse of

Little Me

I know this picture looks like I am SUPER BABY....floating in midair between my parents..

but in actuality I am perched on a very high stand.

Aren't my Mom and Dad Beautious?

I think this was my first Christmas here in America.

We lived with my Aunt and Uncle in Dearborn for 3 months before we got our own place.

I don't know...

I think I have the look of a Smart Alec in the making going on here

This Picture was taken in Italy...

My Dad was working in Venezuela and did not see me until I was six months old.

He bought me the entire outfit in the photo.

Dress.... Shoes... Purse... Necklace..

The works..

Obviously

I was NOT the petite little baby thought he would be coming home to.....

I don't know if I was crying because I didn't know who this Dude was being all lovey

or

If my clothes were too tight...

Hmmmm

I guess some things never change..

That about wraps it up for now...

Hope you

Have a great Weekend !!!!

Again just want to apologize for the quality of the scans.

Mr R and I are on our way out to dinner with some friends...and frankly I don't want to take the time to figure it all out..

I mean come on...

we're going to eat Thai...

Like I said....

Some things never change..

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 You Are Grateful For.

30/30

Question # 14

Something you are grateful for

Again as it has been for several of these posts..

There are so many things I am grateful for... that I feel like I have to split this up a bit.

Of course I am grateful for my family & where I live..

I mean I could have been plopped down anywhere on this old blue marble,to an entirely different set of parents ... had an entirely different mixture of siblings ...

(or non at all)

and had an entirely different life.

I am very grateful to have been plopped into the family that I got..

We're not perfect

but we're doing the best we can.

I am grateful for

My Husband

I am all too aware that marriages now days are basically a 50/50 shot...

Marriages that start at such a young age

probably have a even grater chance of failure.
I think I must have been working "The Secret" before the book came out...

because just about everything I

"Put Out There"

For a perfect mate..

has been fulfilled in my husband.

My Kids

A Boy... A Girl.

(Not too many other options on that one.)

But the fact that I got a couple of really great kids is a major bonus.

They are the kind of people I would like and admire even if there were no labor pains involved.

Relatives

I have tons of extended family scattered all over the world..

Who share a common thread of not only DNA .... but probably some of the same quirks.

They are all a part of me.. and it's kinda nice knowing that.

Friends

Some I have known forever.

Some are relatively new..

Some I talk to all the time.

Some though not as frequent are able to pick up right where we left off..and have a converstaion as if we had spoken the day before.

With some we may have come to a fork in the road and gone down different life paths..

which is OK

Because that friendship may have helped to shape my life as it is now.

They were the person I needed at that time..

and hopefully I was the person they needed

as well.

Each and everyone is a blessing in my life.

The Little Things... That mean ALOT

All of these are pretty fundamental..

but I am VERY much aware of alot of

"The Little Things"

When I jump into the shower and switch on the hot water I think

Thank GOD ...

Not only for this water but that with the flip of a dial I have instant Hot water!!

Some folks don't have basic clean drinking water

let alone Hot and Cold.

( and I am not just talking about in far away lands...Some in our own backyard..like parts of Appalachia )

Think about that the next time you are brushing your teeth

and have let 20 gallons of water go down the drain for nothing.

I am grateful for

For Heat in the winter and Air Conditioning in the summer.

About a week ago Mr R was out of town on business...

I had just come in from Zumba class....

the minute I walked in I could smell something funny..

No it wasn't me... although I was a sweaty Betty...

It smelled funny as in a burning smell ..

Mamma was on the phone with someone and apparently oblivious to anything going on...

Long story short..... after the Power Company came in and looked around making sure there were no leaks...we found that the blower motor to the furnace was out.. and that repairs might take up to 48 hrs

*that was IF the parts weren't an issue.

48 hrs???!!!

Ummm... Hellllooo....

It's COLD out !!!

and I have a 79 yr old living here...

Mamma DID NOT want to be shipped to my brother or sister's houses in spite of the begging and pleading that took place on their parts...

( What can I say.... those seniors like their routines...and

once they've made up their minds it's all over but the crying.)

Thankfully four space heaters ..blankets and mother daughter love kept Mamma and I warm enough..

The house never got colder than 62... and the repairs were made in a day....

but let me tell you..

even now when I hear that furnace kick on..

I say a silent THANK YOU.

I am grateful for .....

My sight

My hearing

My taste buds

The fact that I have more than enough food in pantry...refrigerator... and freezer(s)

That my body still moves enough for me

to try and work off some of that extra food.

For my car

That gets me there without me having to pull a Wilma Flintstone

peddling along like I did in my younger married years.

The gas in my car

The money in my account to pay for that gas

My bank account ...

Which by the way...

Could look better but hey.. I'm paying the bills.

You see that I could go on and on..

I am TRULY TRULY grateful for it all.

One of my favorite lines in the movie..

Meet Joe Black

* and believe me there are many in that flick

At the end of the movie as Joe Black and William Parrish look into the night sky admiring the birthday firework display..

Joe (Brad) sheds a tear... and is seemingly overcome by all the beauty of life around him and the fact that his time here is coming to an end.

Here is a snippet of the dialog

William Parrish: It's hard to let go, isn't it?

Joe Black: Yes it is,Bill.

William Parrish: What can I tell you? That's life.

It is all so Wonderful...

All of it..

The Good

The Bad

and

The Ugly...

We get to try it all...

While we are on that giant Wheel of Life.. but don't really know when it will stop for us to get off.. Why not enjoy the ride?

What can I say..

Sometimes we forget to remember...

That Life is Beautiful

(*Another great flick)

So don't waste your short time here..

There is SO much to be grateful for!!

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.