Here's the lanyard I made for my ID badge and office key. The charms include a yin-yang symbol which serves to remind me of the duality of life and to remember that both sides need each other and to know that not everything is either/or but really both/and. Opposite of the yin-yang is a cupid with a blue piece of glass. This represents my passion for my work and to inspire and incite love within myself and others.
Next is a spring/nature goddess charm and opposite to her is a marriage license. The marriage license is obvious since I perform wedding ceremonies. The goddess charm symbolizes my love of nature, flowers, earth, and all things pagan.
The next pair is a recipe and oven mitt and then the word love with a heart. I love baking for people and sharing food and goodies. My expression of love and friendship most often is expressed by a container full of cookies or a cheesecake. I connect with people through food. Love almost need not be explained.
The last two charms are a pair of hands and a sun/moon. The sun & moon together remind me of the masculine and feminine, the night and day. The pair of hands struck me as interesting in that in the western world people would interpret them to be praying hands, but in the eastern world they could be seen as part of the namaste salutation.
The beads are blue goldstone, a man-made gemstone that sparkles brilliantly when in sunlight.
This meme was swiped from beloved Lady Linoleum!
THE RULES: Each player of this game starts with the 6 weird things about you. People who get tagged need to write a blog of their own 6 weird things as well as state this rule clearly. In the end, you need to choose 6 people to be tagged and list their names. Don't forget to leave a comment that says you are tagged in their comments and tell them to read your blog.
1. I make up and sing songs to my cats. I will not sing any other time under any other circumstances. Each cat has their own tune and theme song.
2. When making a recipe I seldom follow it exactly. I make alterations or substitutions all the time. I only use measuring spoons or cups if I am baking. Otherwise I make best guesses on seasonings.
3. I make lists, too, but I'll still forget one or two things on the list! Pooky wonders why I bother with a list and my answer is: then I wouldn't remember anything!
4. When I get a craving for a particular food, I have to have that exact food. Which means if I crave a McDonald's cheeseburger it can't be a cheeseburger from Wendy's. My tastebuds are very specific, exact, and demanding!
5. If I sweat when I'm nervous it smells like skunk. I hope that having skunk sweat is normal and doesn't mean I have a medical problem.
6. I don't like talking or conducting business over the phone. I love caller ID and will purposefully not answer the phone. It annoys me when people won't leave a voice message. I'd much rather be contacted by e-mail.
I'm tagging the following 6 "weird" people:
Swiped from Patent Princess
Three Names You Go By:
1. Lori
2. Lori M. Carlson
3. Lori M. Carlson, B.S.
Three Screen Names You’ve Had
1. homeburrough
2. the_apiary
3. pip_urchin
Three Physical Things You Like About Yourself
1. My stoma
2. My hands
3. My feet
Three Physical Things You Don’t Like About Yourself
1. My nose
2. My chin
3. My ears
Three Parts of Your Heritage
1. Mostly Germanic
2. Maybe some rogue Jewish blood
3. Just enough crazy Swede to make me interesting
Three Things That Scare You
1. A world without salt
2. Religious fundamentalism
3. Becoming allergic to cats
Three of Your Everyday Essentials
1. Smee love
2. Cream Earl Grey tea
3. Toilet paper
Three Things You Are Wearing Right Now
1. PJ bottoms
2. Black socks
3. Old faded shirt
Three of Your Favorite Bands or Musical Artists
1. Cocteau Twins
2. k.d. lang
3. The Smiths
Three of Your Favorite Songs (by above artists respectively)
1. I'll
2. skip this
3. one
Three Things You Want in a Relationship
1. No bad smells
2. Silliness
3. A high tolerance for cats
Two Truths and a Lie (in no particular order- put your guess as to which is the lie in comments!)
1. I once streaked in high school on a dare.
2. My favorite ice cream flavor is licorice.
3. The most I've ever weighed is 185 pounds.
Three Physical Things about the Preferred Sex Which Appeal to You
1. Voice
2. Groomed facial hair
3. The snake
Three of Your Favorite Hobbies
1. Cooking
2. Crocheting
3. Photography
Three Things You Want to Do Really Badly Right Now
1. Go where it's warm and sunny
2. Get my feet warm
3. Sleep
Three Careers You’ve Considered
1. Physician
2. B&B owner
3. Dedicated feline maintenance worker
Three Places You Want to Go On Vacation
1. Shrone, Ireland
2. Grand Canyon
3. Germany
Three Kids’ Names You Like
1. I'll skip this
2. one
3. as well
Three Things You Want to do Before You Die
1. Be a contestant on Jeopardy!
2. Write a book
3. Have a lot more sex
Three Ways That You Are Stereotypically a Boy
1. I've always had short hair
2. I seldom wear dresses or skirts
3. I don't like women's shoes
Three Ways That You Are Stereotypically a Girl
1. I wear make-up
2. I hate body smells
3. I love Victorian things
Three Celeb Crushes
1. Kermit the Frog
2. Baby Stewie
3. Ren Hoek
Pennsylvania, Here We Come!
With the disappointing outcome of the Puyallup Fair compounded by the Superintendent's reasoning that doilies are functional, I found myself too bitter to spend my birthday attending The Fair. Plus, we had already conquered Shrimp-Fest at Red Lobster so my grand plans for the day were crumbled.We started brainstorming. I checked the major national park sites to see if we could spend a few days at the Old Faithful Inn. Openings were available after our time frame. All other parks were booked solid. No last-minute get-aways to be had there.
I had thought maybe we could slip quietly into the South, visit Atlanta or Savannah, gorge on barbecue and drawls, but we soon realized we had no real plan of what to see and do. Our time would not be best spend on such short notice.
Now for many years—I believe all four of them—I've pined to just fly back to Pennsylvania for a weekend and eat ourselves silly on good pizza, Chinese food, and horde those things from the grocery store that aren't sold out here. Pooky would always nix the idea saying "It's a lot of money for just eating," or something very discouraging and totally responsible.
So on Wednesday I hesitantly said, "I have an idea, but you won't think it's good." I shared my grand scheme of jetting to visit his family as a cover story for our weekend of caloric indulgence. Surprisingly, he thought the idea had merit.
Priceline Used to Be Good
Heaven only knows what is going on with the airlines anymore, but last night we spent way too much time on Priceline and hardly got a deal! It used to be I could swindle fabulous prices for a ticket, but we only saved about $5 from the published prices on other travel sites. In the end the "Name your own price" feature was a bust so we opted for one of their special offers.We got a sweet deal of two non-stop flights from Seattle to Philly. We have to drive from Philly to where his family lives in the Lehighton area, but that's not bad. The non-stop flights are so divine!
What to Eat!
I calculate we have about 8 meals to enjoy during our time in the commonwealth. Cracker Barrel is everywhere! So I know that I'll have at least one breakfast and one lunch or dinner there. Then there is pizza, the Irish tea room, Chinese food, and so much more...I hope that many of our favorite haunts and eateries are still in existance. Business can come and go in four years.I'm hitting a grocery store, too, to buy a few things I miss. Like Entenmann's crumb donuts, Karo pancake syrup, and if they weren't perishable, real pierogies.
Departure & Arrival
We're taking off Saturday morning and returning Tuesday evening. I'm not risking having my crochet hooks confiscated by some misfit security goon thinking that they will save the world by denying me my crochet hooks, even though it is clearly stated on the official government website that crochet hooks are allowed as carry-ons!My ostomy scissors are also listed as approved, but with that I have more of an arguing point that I medically need them. My scissors are less than four inches so regardless of their functionality I am allowed to have them.
The new rules about cosmetics and toiletries is freakin' insane! But get this, you aren't allowed hair gel, make-up, lotions, etc., but you are allowed up to four ounces of personal lubricant! On your carry-on no less! I suppose they want to insure that passengers can still have uncomfortable sex in the bathroom?
The Excitement Builds
I'll be spending the rest of the morning scurrying to pack, getting last minute business tended to, making sure the cats don't implode as they *know* when we are going somewhere—Mr. Doo knows what the luggage means and he gets weird. The fish are so much easier to leave for a couple of days. I have no idea how I am going to be able to part from Smee!I just better put it out of my mind. Smee will be fine. He's got his brothers and Lord Doo. He may suffer without his daily love, but he is strong. I'm going to miss my little Ecru Wonder!
Enough said. I need to make check-lists and start packing!
I was tagged by Amy the Black, so now I must participate or hang my head in shame! I will tag five of you to share in the joy!
1. I often have dreams in which deceased people ask me to locate them in the waking world. They tell me their name and when they lived and died. Not a lot of information to go by.
2. I salt foods most people wouldn't think of salting.
3. I know my period is about to start whenever I have an insane craving for Entenmann's chocolate covered donuts.
4. I can bring home the bacon, fry it up in a pan and never-never-never let you forget you're a man, 'cause I'm a woman!
5. I have the uncanny ability to jinx things.
Hah! You've been tagged!
1. Sara
2. Ro
3. Patent Princess
4. Anna
5. Goof Girl
I was tagged by Stacey at Serenity Now for a meme! I'm to list 6 weird things about me.
1. I don't like eating with a large fork. I use the smaller ones from our set. The same goes for the spoons.
2. I take my Velux blankets with me when I have to stay overnight somewhere. I can't sleep without them.
3. I still bite my fingernails.
4. I don't like my towels to have had fabric softener added to them when washed. I prefer them scratchy.
5. I can get a nasty chill even on a hot summer day and need to wear a heavy sweater.
6. I am addicted to Cream Earl Grey tea.
If you'd like to participate in this meme, then you're tagged!
As seen on Patent Princess' blog
1. Where were you 1 hour ago?
Talking on the phone with my sister.
2. Who will be your next kiss?
Probably Smee
3. Is there anything pink within 10 feet of you?
Yes, a catalog with a pink cover
4. Are you wearing socks right now?
I'm wearing footie nylons
5. When was the last time you went out of town?
Yesterday (Sunday) to arrange a handfasting
6. Have you been to the movies in the last 5 days?
No. We went opening weekend to see Pirates
7. What was the last thing you had to drink?
I'm drinking water right now
8. What are you wearing right now?
A summery dress that is 14 years old (yep, that's how often I go shopping for clothes)
9. Have you been in a car wash?
This is a non-sequitor
10. Last food you ate?
We went for Chinese
11. Where were you last week on Saturday?
At home
12. Have you bought any clothing items in the last week?
See my answer about the summer dress
13. When is the last time you ran?
I recall having to chase Mr. Doo through the yard because he escaped, which was a couple of months ago.
15. What is your favorite class?
Probably orchestra. Technically it is a class since I register to take it through the community college.
16. Your dream vacation spot?
One of those nice places.
18. How old are your parents?
My parental units are 68 and 63
19. Are you in love?
Yes!
20. Do you miss anyone?
I am always missing one of the cats, and Pooky
21. Last play you saw?
What's a play?
22. What are your plans for tomorrow?
I'm going to an internship interview
23. Who is the last person you commented on myspace?
No one
24. Ever go to camp?
I was spared this experience. Maybe not.
25. Were you an honor roll student in school?
No, I was an underachiever in school.
26. What do you want to know about the future?
I have a grocery list of things.
27. Are you hungry?
I'm feeling like I want a snack, but I'm too lazy to find one.
8. Where is your best friend located?
Up north.
29. Do you have a tan?
I go from alabaster to lobster.
30. How old do you want to be when you have kids?
I think when I'm in my 50s I might be old enough to adopt
31. Do you collect anything?
Pens, cat fur, dryer lint, and enemies
32. Last time you got stopped by a cop?
1990?
33. Have you ever drank your soda from a straw?
Sure.
34. How do you like your drinks?
Shaken, not stirred. Oh, wait, that's James Bond!
35. Do you like hot sauce?
Not really.
36. Last time you took a bubble bath?
It's been too long!
37. Who do you have a crush on?
Smee
38. What is your mood?
Tired. So very tired.
39. Are you someone’s best friend?
My husband’s!
40. What’s the last book you read?
As seen on Patent Princess' blog
GRUB-OLOGY
What is your salad dressing of choice? Ranch
What is your favorite fast food restaurant? Wendy's
What is your favorite sit down restaurant? Fuddrucker's or Cracker Barrel
On average, what size tip do you leave at a restaurant? 15% - 20%
What food could you eat every day for two weeks and not get sick of? Cream Earl Grey tea
Name three foods you detest above all others: Tuna, hard boiled eggs, orange jello
What is your favorite dish to order in a Chinese restaurant? Beef chow mein
What are your pizza toppings of choice? Cheese and more cheese
What do you like to put on your toast? Butter
What is your favorite type of gum? Cherry or bubblegum flavor
TECH-OLOGY
Number of contacts in your cell phone? No clue
Number of contacts in your email address book? I have friends and SP swap members, so maybe 60
What is your wallpaper on your computer? A picture of Smee
What is your screensaver on your computer? Probably nothing
Are there naked pictures saved on your computer? Yes.They are of me.
How many land line phones do you have in your house? Just one
How many televisions are in your house? 2
What kitchen appliance do you use the least? Coffee maker
What is the radio station you listen to the most? KOMO 1000 news
How many sex toys do you own that require batteries? One.
BI-OLOGY
What do you consider to be your best physical attribute? My eyes
Are you right handed or left handed? Right handed
Do you like your smile? No.
Have you ever had anything removed from your body? My wisdom teeth, my colon
Would you like to? Not really
Do you prefer to read when you go to the bathroom? My toilet time has been lost due to my ostomy
Which of your five senses do you think is keenest? Smell
When was the last time you had a cavity? Five or four years ago
What is the heaviest item you lift regularly? Myself
Have you ever been knocked unconscious? Yes, through anesthetics before surgery
MISC-OLOGY
If it were possible, would you want to know the day you were going to die? I wouldn't be so bad. I like to plan ahead.
If you could change your first name, what would you change it to? I've never liked my name, but haven't yet thought of more more suitable.
How do you express your artistic side? Crocheting
What color do you think you look best in? Black, purple
How long do you think you could last in a medium security prison? I have no idea.
Have you ever swallowed a non-food item by mistake? Not that I am aware of.
If we weren’t bound by society’s conventions, do you have a relative you would make a pass at? No.
How often do you go to church? I think I can count on my fingers the number of times I've been.
Have you ever saved someone’s life? Not that I am aware of.
Has someone ever saved yours? I think so in a figurative way
DARE-OLOGY
Would you walk naked for a half mile down a public street for $100,000? As long as the day was warm enough
Would you kiss a member of the same sex for $100? Depends on who it would be, and no tongues.
Would you have sex with a member of the same sex for $10,000? I'm worth way more than 10 grand!
Would you allow one of your little fingers to be cut off for $200,000? Since I don't use them much, sure.
Would you never blog again for $50,000? Definitely.
Would you pose naked in a magazine for $250,000? As long as it would be tax-free.
Would you drink an entire bottle of hot sauce for $1000? Would it be a large or small bottle?
Would you, without fear of punishment, take a human life for $1,000,000? No.
Would you shave your head and get your entire body waxed for $5,000? I'm not very fond of hair, so yes.
Would you give up watching television for a year for $25,000? Yes. I'd do it in a hearbeat.
Found at the Patent Princess's blog!
1. How old do you wish you were?
I'd like to be about 2,000 years old, but with a really good, youthful body.
2. Where were you when 9/11 happened?
I was at our home in Pennsylvania on the computer. Pooky called me to turn on the news.
3. What do you do when vending machines steal your money?
I try to figure out how to get my money back.
4. Do you consider yourself kind?
Yes, I do. But don't piss me off. I can be a real Medusa!
5. If you had to get a tattoo, where and what would it be?
I already have one. I'd like to get another if I ever have the money for it.
6. If you could be fluent in any other language, what would it be?
I'd go with either cat or Gaelic. I'd like to know what Mr. Doo is saying to me when he howls.
7. Do you know your neighbors?
My husband is more in the know about the ones who live across the street from us. They are the only ones we know in the neighborhood.
8. What do you consider a vacation?
Travelling for many grueling hours and staying overnight for more than one day.
9. Do you follow your horoscope?
No, but I have consulted a psychic and Tarot reader on occasion.
10. Would you move for the person you loved?
Of course.
11. Are you touchy feely?
I will accept hugs and I will give them only if I think the person is comfortable with accepting one. I have my moods where I like to be petted and held, but then I have my lizard moments where I don't want to be touched.
12. Do you believe that opposites attract?
I think that they do. I also think that like attracts like. There is a balance to the two types of attraction.
13. Dream job?
Feline maintenance worker
14. Favorite channels?
History, Discovery, Food Network, PBS
15. Favorite place to go on a weekend?
I'd rather go during the week when there aren't any crowds
16. Showers or bath?
Ever since having Ian-Sophia, I prefer to shower. Taking a bath doesn't feel "safe" just yet, and then there are the 5 curious cats to deal with.
17. Do you paint your nails?
Maybe once a year.
18. Do you trust people easily?
Part of my FOO work is to be more open and trusting of others. I think I have grown in this area, but still think I have more improvement.
19. What are your phobias?
Saying the wrong, anti-therapeutic thing to a client.
20. Do you want kids?
Not really. I am open to adopting an older child.
21. Do you keep a handwritten journal?
I have scads of blank books and journals. Some I have used...but mostly I just collect them.
22. Where would you rather be right now?
On the couch crocheting a doily.
23. What makes you feel warm and safe?
Being at home with the heat on.
24. Heavy or light sleep?
It depends on my level of tiredness.
25. Are you paranoid?
Generally not.
26. Are you impatient?
I have been known to be impatient, but mostly I think I have a lot of patience.
27. Who can you relate to?
My hope is that eventually I will be able to relate to everybody, but for now I seem to best relate to cats.
28. How do you feel about interracial or same sex couples?
I think society should have very little to say about it, especially religions. Love is one of the universal spiritual truths. The real sin is attempting to restrict and define what is acceptable love.
29. Have you been burned by love?
Disappointed, but not burned.
30. What’s your life motto?
I don't have a specific one, but I have ideals that I try to uphold. I try to treat others as I would like to be treated. I value honesty and truthfulness. Compassion, love, and understanding are qualities in which I attempt to give to others.
31. What’s your main ringtone on your mobile?
The Oscar Meyer Wienermobile jingle
32. What were you doing at midnight last night?
Reading The Sparrow
33. Who was your last text message from?
The phone company trying to sell me more minutes
34. Whose bed did you sleep in last night?
Around midnight
35. What color shirt are you wearing?
White
36. Most recent movie you watched?
In the theaters, the Pirates movie
37. Name five things you have on you at all times.
My ostomy bag, my hair, my skin, a random facial expression, and typically clothes.
38. What color are your bed sheets?
Blue
39. How much cash do you have on you right now?
Around $30
40. What is your favorite part of the chicken?
The white meat.
41. What is your favorite town/city?
I don't have one.
42. I can’t wait till…
I find out about my status in the graduate program.
43. What did you have for dinner last night?
Baked potatoes topped with chicken in a sauce made of mushrooms, onions, paprika, and a little sour cream
44. How tall are you barefoot?
5′ 6″
45. Have you ever smoked crack?
No.
46. Do you own a gun?
No.
47. What do you prefer to drink in the morning?
Tea.
48. What is your secret weapon to lure in the opposite sex?
Being myself has worked out fine.
49. Do you have A.D.D?
No.
50. What time did you wake up today?
I think it was 7:45 am.
51. What is your favorite candy?
Black licorice, and so much more
52. Current worry?
It's all school related stuff.
53. Current hate?
School related stuff.
54. Favorite place to be?
Any place that is quite, smells pleasant, and has cats
55. Where would you like to travel?
Shrone, Ireland
56. Where do you think you’ll be in 10 years?
Living somewhere in a house with Pooky and our 5 wonder beasties
57. Last thing you ate?
Some candy
58. What songs do you sing in the shower?
I don't.
59. Last person that made you laugh?
Pooky
60. Worst injury you ever had?
I've been lucky not to have severe accidents.
61. Does someone have a crush on you?
I think Smee does. He often looks at me with heavy eyes and he will purr and then he will start to lean and fall over. It's like he is drunk with affection. He's my Ecru Wonder!
As requested by Sara from her blog, here are my answers.
1. What inspires you first? The pattern or the yarn?
For me it is the pattern. I then find the yarn that fits the pattern. If it is a doily, it is always the pattern first and then I search for the perfect thread.
2. If you are most inspired by pattern, where do you find the most inspiring patterns? Books? Magazines? Other blogs?
I used to find my inspiration in Magic Crochet and Decorative Crochet, as they had so many lovely doily patterns. Now I just patiently wait to stumble upon thread patterns. As for yarn stuff, I browse around and keep my eyes open to the possibility of discovery.
3. Are you a member of an “in person” group of knitters/hookers?
No. And I am not looking to be.
4. Do you read a pattern all the way through before beginning?
Typically not, unless the pattern looks real funky and I will skip to read how something unique is done. If I read ahead all it does is confuse me and not make much sense.
5. What is your gauge swatch record?
I don't think this applies to me.
6. What level do you consider yourself?
I tackle the expert stuff that I think should be consider "for the insane only".
7. Do you have any favorite color combinations?
Purples, jewel tones, anything in the red, blue, purple shades. No greens, yellows, oranges, browns, or pastels.
I saw this on Sara's blog and thought I'd playalong. The ones underlined are the things I've done.
01. Bought everyone in the bar a drink
02. Swam with wild dolphins
03. Climbed a mountain
04. Taken a Ferrari for a test drive
05. Been inside the Great Pyramid
06. Held a tarantula
07. Taken a candlelit bath with someone
08. Said I love you and meant it
09. Hugged a tree
10. Bungee jumped
11. Visited Paris
12. Watched a lightning storm at sea
13. Stayed up all night long and saw the sun rise
14. Seen the Northern Lights
15. Gone to a huge sports game
16. Walked the stairs to the top of the leaning Tower of Pisa
17. Grown and eaten your own vegetables
18. Touched an iceberg
19. Slept under the stars
20. Changed a baby's diaper
21. Taken a trip in a hot air balloon
22. Watched a meteor shower
23. Gotten drunk on champagne
24. Given more than you can afford to charity
25. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
26. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment
27. Had a food fight
28. Bet on a winning horse
29. Asked out a stranger
30. Had a snowball fight
31. Screamed as loudly as you possibly can
32. Held a lamb
33. Seen a total eclipse
34. Ridden a roller coaster
35. Hit a home run
36. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking
37. Adopted an accent for an entire day
38. Actually felt happy about your life, even for just a moment
39. Had two hard drives for your computer
40. Visited all 10 provinces
41. Taken care of someone who was drunk
42. Had amazing friends
43. Danced with a stranger in a foreign country
44. Watched wild whales
45. Stolen a sign
46. Backpacked in Europe
47. Taken a road-trip
48. Gone rock climbing
49. Midnight walk on the beach
50. Gone sky diving
51. Visited Ireland
52. Been heartbroken longer then you were actually in love
53. In a restaurant, sat at a stranger s table and had a meal with them
54. Visited Japan
55. Milked a cow
56. Alphabetized your cds
57. Pretended to be a superhero
58. Sung karaoke
59. Lounged around in bed all day
60. Posed nude in front of strangers
61. Gone scuba diving
62. Kissed in the rain
63. Played in the mud
64. Played in the rain
65. Gone to a drive-in theater
66. Visited the Great Wall of China
67. Started a business
68. Fallen in love and not had your heart broken
69. Toured ancient sites
70. Taken a martial arts class
71. Played D&D for more than 6 hours straight
72. Gotten married
73. Been in a movie
74. Crashed a party
75. Gotten divorced
76. Gone without food for 5 days
77. Made cookies from scratch
78. Won first prize in a costume contest
79. Ridden a gondola in Venice
80. Gotten a tattoo
81. Rafted the Snake River
82. Been on television news programs as an expert
83. Got flowers for no reason
84. Performed on stage
85. Been to Las Vegas
86. Recorded music
87. Eaten shark
88. Had a one-night stand
89. Gone to Thailand
90. Bought a house
91. Been in a combat zone
92. Buried one of your parents
93. Been on a cruise ship
94. Spoken more than one language fluently
95. Performed in Rocky Horror.
96. Raised children.
97. Followed your favorite band/singer on tour
98. Created and named your own constellation of stars
99. Taken an exotic bicycle tour in a foreign country
100. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over
101. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge
102. Sang loudly in the car, and didn t stop when you knew someone was looking
103. Had plastic surgery
104. Survived an illness that you shouldn t have survived
105. Wrote articles for a large publication
106. Lost over 100 pounds (not at once, over a lifetime)
107. Held someone while they were having a flashback
108. Piloted an airplane
109. Petted a stingray
110. Broken someone s heart
111. Helped an animal give birth
112. Won money on a T.V. game show
113. Broken a bone
114. Gone on an African photo safari
115. Had a body part of yours below the neck pierced
116. Fired a rifle, shotgun, or pistol
117. Eaten mushrooms that were gathered in the wild
118. Ridden a horse
119. Had major surgery
120. Had a snake as a pet
121. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
122. Slept for more than 30 hours over the course of 48 hours
123. Visited more foreign countries than U.S. states
124. Visited all 7 continents
125. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days
126. Eaten kangaroo meat
127. Eaten sushi
128. Had your picture in the newspaper
129. Changed someone's mind about something you care deeply about
130. Gone back to school
131. Parasailed
132. Petted a cockroach
133. Eaten fried green tomatoes
134. Read The Iliad - and the Odyssey
135. Selected one important author who you missed in school, and read
136. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
137. Skipped all your school reunions
138. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language
139. Been elected to public office
140. Written your own computer language
141. Thought to yourself that you' re living your dream
142. Had to put someone you love into hospice care
143. Built your own PC from parts
144. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn t know you
145. Had a booth at a street fair
146: Dyed your hair
147: Been a DJ
148: Shaved your head
149: Caused a car accident
150: Saved someone' s life (does my own count?)
Swiped from Sara!
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| 'What will your obituary say?' at QuizGalaxy.com |
Please leave a one-word comment that you think best describes me--it can only be one word long. Then copy and paste this into your blog so that I may leave a comment about you.
This is not so much about fishing for compliments as it is an exercise showing how hard it is to use just one word to describe someone!
Give it a try & I'll do the same for you if you're so inclined.
Found at Lady Linoleum's site!
Perfect Score!
The winner of the Ostomy Anniversary Quiz/Contest is Stacey! She answered them all correctly. She chose to receive a $25 gift certificate to Knitpicks.com.
Honorable Mentions
Trish had the second best score with missing only one question. Joy had the third best score with missing only two. They will receive a consolation mystery surprise!The Answers
1. 15 years ago 2. Ian Sophia 3. 1.125 inches 4. A colostomy is a stoma coming off the colon; an ileostomy is a stoma coming off of the ileum 5. ulcerative colitis 6. 1,000,000 7. Mt. St. Helens has a major eruption 8. Longview, Washington 9. Kittens were rescued from the window well 10. February 23rdMy friend April tagged me for this meme!
Name six of life's simple pleasures that you like most, then pick six people to do the same. Try to be original and creative and not to use things that someone else has already used.
1. A nice soft bed, preferrably adorned with snuggly cats
2. Beautiful moon rises in the summer over Mt. Rainier
3. A good steak cooked to perfection
4. Not having to wait in line
5. Creating anything that you make with your own hands
6. Bringing a little joy or happiness into someone's day
Second
Once you've been tagged, you have to write a list with 6 facts about yourself. In the end you need to choose 6 people to be tagged and list their names.
1. My first date with Pooky lasted from Friday until Sunday evening.
2. I have a very large bucket (an old Costco laundry detergent bucket) next to the dryer that is filled with lint. I've been collecting it for almost 3 years.
3. Whenever I stay overnight somewhere, I take my memory foam pillow and body pillow.
4. I can be a real evil Medusa in the morning until I've awoken, which takes a couple of hours.
5. I sing goofy, often made-up songs to my cats, about how wonderful they are.
6. My daydream is to move to a southern community where I play the role of the oddball outsider who is eventually accepted and known as the local crazy cat lady.
I Owe It All to Pooky and the T4 Virus
Meet Grubnuck the Space Alien! He proudly sits on the comfy chair (usually dominated by one of the cats) as his new throne of command. He comes to me courtesy of Lady Linoleum and her fabulous contest. If it weren't for Pooky's master carpentry skills, my space ship would not have launched. I also owe a big thank-you to the T4 virus. It's unique shape is truly out of this world—I mean, it looks alien!
I request to Pooky that he periodically change the location of Grubnuck as to scare me out of my wits. Currently when I go downstairs I am occasionally surprised by Grubnuck just sitting there. If Grub requests a morning newspaper, cup of strong coffee, and a pack of menthols, I'll have to send him back to his alien planet.
The box that Grub arrived in turned out to be our nightly entertainment as Mr. Doo (resident evil) staked his claim and the unsuspecting kittens had some jack-in-the-box style fun. All pictures below are clickable.
Evil in a Box
Contest Extended Until Sunday (May 21st!)
In celebration of my one year since going permanent with my ileostomy, I thought I'd run a little 72 Hour Contest. Below are a bunch of multiple choice questions. The person who gets the most correct will win a very special surprise! (No, it will not be poop related I promise, but I am tempted!)
Many of the answers can be found by reviewing my archives, or by searching the Internet. Yes, a little bit of work but it will be worth it! The prize is that good! You won't believe how fantastic it is!
I tried my best to make this test interactive, but it will still need to be hand-scored. I'm not that tecnically advanced!
If you already took the test you'll have to redo it as I realized I forgot to ask your name and e-mail! Eeek!
| You Passed 8th Grade Math |
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I am not a math whiz. I struggle to figure out the basics. I'm always off by a factor of ten. So why in the world did I score so well on this quiz? No, I didn't use a calculator, nor did I figure anything out on paper. I did it all as mental arithmetic! I betcha that there's an error with the scoring of this quiz!
Your Aura Colour is Indigo.
Indigos are truth-tellers. They are quiet, alert, spiritual, inquisitive, patient, determined, guiltless, stubborn and honest. They can be blunt. |
Find out what colour your aura is.
When I embarked on my deliberate spiritual pursuits many years ago I most identified with the color indigo and have felt that this is my aura color. Though I don't fit into the typical identified age group of Indigo Children, I believe I also share traits of being one. Interesting how this quiz matched up with my own experience of myself. Now if only there were to be a quiz that after answering questions it would generate a letter of recommendation!
Swiped from Mama Kelly's blog!
Saw this over on Trish's blog, via Laura's.
Meme instructions: Look at the list of books below. Bold the ones you’ve read, italicize the ones you might read, cross out the ones you won’t, underline the ones on your book shelf, and place parentheses around the ones you’ve never even heard of.
The Da Vinci Code – Dan Brown
The Catcher in the Rye – J.D. Salinger
The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy – Douglas Adams
The Great Gatsby– F.Scott Fitzgerald
To Kill a Mockingbird– Harper Lee
(The Time Traveler’s Wife) – Audrey Niffenegger
His Dark Materials-- Philip Pullman
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince – J. K. Rowling
Life of Pi– Yann Martel
Animal Farm: A Fairy Story– George Orwell
The Hobbit – J. R. R. Tolkien
(The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time) – Mark Haddon
Lord of the Flies– William Golding
Pride and Prejudice – Jane Austen
1984– George Orwell
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban – J. K. Rowling
(One Hundred Years of Solitude) – Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Memoirs of a Geisha– Arthur Golden
(The Kite Runner) – Khaled Hosseini
(The Lovely Bones) – Alice Sebold
Slaughterhouse 5– Kurt Vonnegut
Angels and Demons – Dan Brown
Fight Club – Chuck Palahniuk
(Neuromancer) – William Gibson
(Cryptonomicon) – Neal Stephenson
(The Secret History) – Donna Tartt
A Clockwork Orange – Anthony Burgess
Wuthering Heights– Emily Bronte
Brave New World – Aldous Huxley
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe – C. S. Lewis
Middlesex – Jeffrey Eugenides
(Cloud Atlas) – David Mitchell
The Lord of the Rings– J. R. R. Tolkien
Jane Eyre – Charlotte Bronte
(Good Omens) – Terry Pratchett, Neil Gaiman
(Atonement) – Ian McEwan
(The Shadow Of The Wind) – Carlos Ruiz Zafon
The Old Man and the Sea – Ernest Hemingway
The Handmaid’s Tale– Margaret Atwood
The Bell Jar – Sylvia Plath
Dune– Frank Herbert
As swiped from Stacey
Swiped from Noricum
1. Are you Irish?
Everytime Pooky and I have marital relations I have a little lot of Irish in me ;-) (Pooky is ay least 50% Irish)
2. Are you by any chance wearing green today?
I'll be wearing my Frosted Lucky Charms pajama pants all day, even in public!
3. What kinds of special things do you do to celebrate St. Patrick's Day?
I'm going to the store to get the vegetables to make corned beef and cabbage. I have the corned beef, just need the cabbage and carrots and potatoes.
4. Do you believe in luck? How about fate?
I believe in all of that mystical, mysterious stuff. Sometimes I think the lesser gods conspire against me. It's because I don't pay them as much homage as I give to Mr. Doo. One such god is jealous. He even said so in the Bible.
5. What would you do if you found a pot of gold?
I'd either be attacked by the leprechaun owner, or someone else would claim it was theirs so I'd have to settle for the measely reward money of finding the lost gold. This is not being pessimistic, just realistic, which is what pessimism is (for the most part).
Taken from the new incarnation of Friday Five
1. Do you wear perfume or cologne?
Sun*Moon*Stars is my favorite brand-name perfume. My other was L'Effleur (no longer made).
2. What brand or kind of soap do you use?
It's a French soap that I find at specialty shops, currently I get it at my tea shop. I love the Linden, Violet Moss, and assorted other aromas.
3. Do you use anything to scent your home (candles, potpourri, scented oils, etc.)?
You name it, I use it! I've got candles, incense, Wizard or Glade brand oil poofy things, and so on.
4. What's your favorite scent on a member of the gender to which you're attracted?
I'm not big on men wearing colognes, but I do like them to be clean smelling. I don't like body odors. If Pooky gets too naturally aromatic I comment he smells too much like skin.
5. Have you ever tried aromatherapy? If so, describe your experience; if not, do you think it works? I'm not sure if I've done aromatherapy. However, smells and scents are important to my well-being, so I would imagine I naturally am aromatherapeutic in that I will burn certain incense frangrances at certain times, and so on. I have certain scents for certain phases or moods.
On the topic of scent, I am keenly aware of the way people smell, and the way their living environments smell. I refer to the natural odors that people generate (not sweaty smells). I know the aroma of my own house, it is a mixture of old wood and house, and sometimes it has an incense-y smell depending on what I've been burning.
When I enter my sister's abode I notice a candle smell, and then a warm feeling. Sometimes the lingering essence of food is there, but mostly the candle smell overrides any food smells.
My friend Pibb cannot use detergents and other cleaning chemicals, she can only use natural products, and because of this she has an interesting scent about, clean but natural smelling. Her personal scent is not masked by a multitude of chemicals. It is hard to describe how I perceive her scent, for I would say there is a wet or damp quality to it, almost earthy and woodsy. I could be blindfolded and know her by her scent alone.
I know Pooky's scent, too. He has a manly, musky, almost oily quality to him, sometimes a touch yeasty. His smell can go from being mild to overbearing depending on how physically active he's been.
Without it being surprising, my scent is salty! Yes, it comes out in my pores. I can get whiffs of my own bag, and I am driven nuts by it because I am sure the rest of the world can also detect it. My body scent changes with my hormonal cycle. I can tell when I'm about to menstruate as a sharp smell comes a few days before or at the time of.
Each of the cats has a distinguishing scent, too. Mr. Doo has a classic cat smell to his fur. It's not the smell of tuna, but a fur-smell. Sometimes his fur will take on various scents, particularly if he's just been outside. Stash's fur really picks up wood smoke when he goes outside. Smee has a light, almost sweet scent to his fur. Mr. B has what I'd call a poo smell to his fur, and to a degree, so does Theodore Montague. Both keep themselves groomed, but their natural cat smell is one that I find disagreeable.
Also, no matter how rancid and rank the stuff in my bag can be, nothing beats the gas the cats pass! Man, I swear they are equipped with a special "stink gland" in their digestive system that adds incredible stench and stink to their flatus!
1. Have you written your will?
The closest I've come is to state my wishes not to be kept artificially alive in case of prolonged coma, etc. I don't really own property or money to bequeath to anyone. As for my personal things, if a friend wanted to have something of mine for sentimental reasons, they are welcomed to have it.
2. Would you prefer to be burried or cremated? Why?
Burned to a crisp and then have my ashes scattered in certain places. I don't think taking up space in a cemetery is a good idea.
3. What do you imagine your funeral to be like?
That very few people will turn out because everyone I know lives so far away from me, it would take an act of Divine powers to give them the means to travel to funeralize me. Other than that, I suppose someone would say a nice word or two about me. Maybe something like, "We all know she has gone to the great vehicle in the sky and is cruising for penis!"
4. What would you like to be remembered for?
Being a Shrone, of course, and for my doilies. Everything else is subject to change and interpretation.
5. Do you believe in reincarnation?
Indeed! It sucks when I remember being with people before and they don't either believe in reincarnation or recall the past life, because it is so much grander when both remember. Most of the time it doesn't matter to remember, because it gets a little weird. Example: I'm fairly confident that my previous signigicant other was my sister in a previous life and in this one we tried to be lovers. Didn't work out at all.
As seen on fellow Shrone blogs (Wendy started it and Kari followed):
If you have one, post a comment with the link and I'll pick 5 or 6 words for you!
They rebuilt me. Everything works.
But they had never seen a feline.
They had no guide for putting me back together.
Things I Learn by Watching the CBC
The Olympic coverage on NBC sucks, and I've found that the CBC does a much better job of showing the events. I didn't have to stay up late to find out who won the pairs figure skating medals because the CBC got to it without skipping around. I'm not fond of Bob Costas, either, and Dick Button's commentaries grate on my nerves.
One thing I've noticed that I find amusing is that companies/corporations originating in the USA that encroach like weeds into Canada undergo a Canadianization process. How is this accomplished? Add a maple leaf! Evidence is provided to the right.
Long ago in my salad days I would joke that my aunt had "defected" to Canada, becoming a Canadian citizen. I wonder if this meant she had a maple leaf applied discreetly to her personage?
Up until Canada elected a conservative prime minister, I tinkered and toyed with the notion of perhaps moving there, but then I stop to consider that it is farther north and colder. Even though it is homeland of Lucy Maud Montgomery and people pause in the afternoon to have tea, I am not yet entirely sold on living there. Now, if it was certain I'd receive a lifetime supply of maple leaves in which to Canadianize things, I could be swayed!
I swiped this from Princess Trish. What you do is finish the statement.
(1) I am... surrounded by cats.
(2) My ex was... unable to have a sexual relationship
(3) Maybe I should.... practice the cello
(4) I love.... my Pooky, kitties, and perfect cheeseburgers
(5) I don't understand... why everything is about money
(6) I lost my.... virginity at age 16
(7) My boyfriend/girlfriend Pooky is.... the love of my life
(8) People say I'm... an Unknowable Shrone
(9) Love is.... a many splendid thing
(10) Somewhere, someone is.... wishing they were Mr. Doo
(11) I will always... be awed by the magic of spring
(12) Forever is... having pain that doesn't respond to medication
(13) I never want to... grow up and become a crusty adult
(14) I think the current President.... could have done many things differently
(15) When I woke up in the morning... Stash attacked my foot!
(16) Life is full of... mystery.
(17) My past is... at times surreal, humorous, and profound
(18) I get annoyed when... I have to wait my turn
(19) Parties are for... the fortunate people who have friends that throw them
(20) I wish... I could be a cat
(21) My pet is.... the Glue of the Universe
(22) Kisses are the worst when... teeth need to be brushed.
(23) Today.... is Thursday
(24) Tomorrow I'm going to... perform my first vow renewal ceremony
(25) I really want....to go to the town of Shrone.
(26) I have low tolerance for people who... aren't open to life
(27) If I had a million dollars... I'd pay off bills then help others through scholarships and such
(28) A funny or favorite quote: I'm unique, just like everybody else!
Everyone should add a question to the end
(29) Awards shows are... very narcissistic
(30) What gives me the greatest joy in life is... full moon nights in the summer, kitty love, Pooky love, and perfect cheeseburgers.
I've decided that Washington needs its own "groundhog" to predict the weather (which we know is just the same old gray, rainy day over and over). Introducing Sluggy (or other more humorous name)!
How does Sluggy predict the weather? If he slimes across wet ground, six more months of rain. If he slides across dry ground, six more months of rain! See how easy that is? But for Sluggy there is another possibility! If he is doused with too much salt: Bye-bye Sluggy!
The name of the day would need to be changed to Limacine Day to mark the difference in critters.
I figure I need some incentive and motivation to crochet, so I signed up for the Crochet Olympics. Woo-hoo! 
I have 3 or so new books from Patricia Kristoffersen and I'll pick one of her doily designs. There are so many that look challenging...but being that I have six days, I will have to pick one not too insane I just realized I'll have 16 days so I may go ahead and pick a real wicked one!
My sport to watch is all of the figure skating. I have no idea who comprises the men's team, but have learned that the petrified (meaning she is old)Michelle Kwan is still trying to get a gold medal. (No, I don't think she is that talented—after two tries, give it up already!) I am incredibly fond of ice dancing. I blame this on Torvill and Dean.
Can you tell I have been going through old photos? I found this school photo taken of me when I was 9 years old. Then I found this fairly current photo of me in which I have a similar expression and smile.
Egads! How did I live with hair over my ears? I can't stand it now!
Let's see. The Shrone at age 9. Here are some facts you might be entertained with:
- My birthday cake had a 3 dimensional Pink Pather
- While in the 4th grade I got my first set of braces
- My best friend's name was Susan
- Spelling was my favorite subject
- Mr. Lintott was my teacher. My nickname for him was The Old Man (because he was elderly, but it wasn't meant as an insult)
- School started that year on August 31st
- Mork & Mindy was my favorite show
- I saw a speech therapist as I had a bit of a problem pronouncing R's and L's, which was somewhat important to correct since my last name is Carlson
- I desparately wanted to have bunny rabbits for a pet
- My favorite toys were a plush Snoopy and Woodstock that had thematic outfits that I could dress them up in and all of this stuff was bought at a store called The Friendship Station (I wonder how much my set would auction for now if it still existed? Some of that stuff has to be collectible now!)