Random Dozen Answers of the Exhausted

My friend over at 2nd Cup of Coffee has posted her Random Dozen questions for this week.  My answers are kind of lame.  I am exhausted.  Today is one of two half days I have left in the school year.  It has been a hard year for me and I am glad it is coming to a close.  So with that said here are my sad offerings called Random Dozen questions and answers for this week:
1. Would you rather host party or simply attend a party?  I like both....but I'd rather attend a party so I can get new ideas of themes, layouts, tablescapes. 
2. Tell us about the most memorable party you've been to.  When I was 17 I worked for the American Friends of the Hebrew University as a secretary.  I attended a fundraising party and got to meet Madame Alexander (she makes exquisite dolls).  On my 13th birthday...my mom invited 13 girls for a bowling party.  I got 13 pair of baby doll pajamas.
3. What is one thing you hope for in the after-life?  Hope is not the word I would use...planning for is my choice...and that would be eternal life.
4. What do you enjoy most about sunshine?  The warmth
5. When you attend a bridal/baby shower, do you prefer to bring your own gift or chip in with others to buy a larger gift?  I like to buy my own gift unless I am the hostess.  Then we usually do chip in and buy a more grandeous gift. I love to buy gifts.  I shop for Christmas gifts all year...searching for that perfect gift.
6. Would you rather have a FREE week of having your house cleaned or all of your meals cooked for you and your family?  Oh definitely free week of having my house cleaned.  I love to cook....when I don't have all the other responsibilities.
7. What song describes your mood today? Take it to the Limit by the Eagles.  Today is the beginning day of final exams and I had parents calling me as late as 10:00 last night asking me questions about what their students should study....I wanted to shout...Hey!  Read the class blog...it is all there.
8. What is something you received for your own bridal shower/wedding that you still own or use? (If you are not married, feel free to sub a gift you received a long time ago.) A cookbook where all the guests put in their favorite recipes.
9. Your favorite flavor of ice cream is?  Lemon chiffon when I can find it.  Butter pecan when I can't.
10. When was the last time you felt "tested?"  It is a daily thing with me.  Ever time I see my mom I feel tested.  First period every day is pretty much a test too.  I feel if I can make it through the period...or the visit....then I have passed the test.
11. "[Peaches]are a food that once I start eating I find really hard to stop."
12. "Success" is the best motivation.
Here is hoping that your Wednesday is a good one!

Random Dozen for May 12th

Today is Random Dozen day and the questions were hard for me this week.  A few of them required deep concentration on events that took place a long time ago....but I managed.  If you would love to see some more answers then check out 2nd Cup of Coffee and Life in a Small Town they always have great answers.

1. Please share one memory of your high school graduation. I really don’t remember a whole lot about that day. It was almost 40 years ago. Well, well, I found my Senior memory book in a box of stuff so I can tell you it was on Friday, June 2nd, 1972 at the Palm Beach Municipal Auditorium (lovingly known as the leaky teepee). The speaker was Harold Manor, the Palm Beach Junior College President. I marched beside Joe Lawson. I remember that Carol and I went to Harry’s after the fact. We drank apricot wine(the drinking age at the time was 18) and just goofed off til midnight. The picture is my senior one.

2. What is one "emergency use" item you keep in your vehicle at all times? I have a banner to put in my window that says HELP! I bought it from a safety inservice we had at school. I also have a blanket, a first aid kit, and water. After my parents were lost for 48 hours and found on a deserted road….I am prepared.

3. In your region, do you celebrate graduation open houses? Addendum: (If so,) how many open houses/bridal showers/weddings are on your upcoming events calendar? No,  on the graduation open houses. Parents sometimes have parties for their seniors...but most of the kids go and hang out with friends.  But now…it is summer and I have four weddings already to attend in June – August. I have six showers coming up. It is going to be a busy summer.

4. Tell me one truth you believe about motherhood. Mothers wear a lot of hats….and not all of them fit…but we wear them anyways.
5. What was the last thing you broke? I wish I had something very profound to say here…but I broke a glass at supper this evening when it slipped out of my hand. I also cut my hand picking up the shards from the floor.
6. On average, how many pieces of junk mail do you receive daily? I would venture to say four to five pieces a day. I used to mark them return to sender and hope they would leave me alone…but it doubled. Now I trash them…after shredding of course.
7. Do you like to shop by catalog? I do like to shop by catalog sometime. I also like to shop Etsy and Ebay.
8. Is lawn maintenance at your house a "his job," a "her job" or "his/her job" or "that's why we have teenagers" job?  Up until recently it was hire someone to do it's job, because we did not have a working mower.  But now we have a riding lawnmower, Frank is not working a second job, so he has become househusband and does the lawn. I piddle with plants.  That is my extent of "yard work."
9. Which room would you like to redecorate in your home? All of them, except for the one my mom and dad used....Susan and I redecorated it after my dad died....but WAIT!  I am moving...into a parsonage...so I can do what I want to...within reason.  I am so excited!
10. Do you read a newspaper regularly, or do you read most of your news on line? LOL…this is a joke around here. Our little paper is 4 pages on a good day and only comes out Tuesday – Saturday. If anything happens on Sunday or Monday…oh well. I read it everyday and it takes all of 5 minutes to scan it. The last page is usually the sports, one page is for religion, one page is ads….it does not take me long at all. On Wednesday’s all the sale papers are included…so it takes me 6 minutes to see what the Pig or Winn-Dixie have for sale.
11. Do you believe everything happens for a reason? I most certainly do. I believe that there is a time for everything to occur and it happens for a reason. I also believe that I am not in control of this. God is the captain of my vessel.
12. Are you more worried about doing things right, or doing the right things? I would rather do the right thing right.

How Random Can it Get?

It is that time again.  The questions Linda posed were a wee bit hard for me to be witty with.  These were the kind of questions that require honesty....so here they are.  If you want to read her answers and I know you will....head on over to 2nd Cup of Coffee....after you read mine....of course. 
1. What was the last thing about which you procrastinated? Procrastination is my middle name.  I am the QUEEN of it.  When I was in college I have belted out many an "A" paper the night before....but I am older and wiser now.....NOT....I still tend to wait....or maybe I should say it takes longer to get my motor running.  But....to answer the question....it would have to have been looking over the Draft for the SACS (Southern Accredidation of Colleges and Schools) review last week. I had it for three days and waited until the day of the interview to look it over. I am such a schmuck. I could have answered all the questions without having read the bazillion page report.

2. How long does it take you to fall asleep, and do you sleep through the night? It depends. If I am tired and nothing is weighing heavy on my mind…then I am out before my head hits the pillow and I sleep all night. If I am preoccupied, as I am a lot these days with my mom, then sometimes I will see ever hour on the hour….and not sleep through the night. Those nights will find me sitting at the computer playing mindless games so at least one of us will get a good nights sleep.
3. Which decade would you choose to exemplify your favorite fashion styles? I am a child of the 60’s. I love the peasant look...not the bell bottoms so much....not the hot pants or hooker boots....just the peasant look....the one that is in style again now.  I also love the styles of the 50’s. There is something clean and fresh about June Cleaver.
4. What is your personal best dish to feed a crowd? Shepherd’s Pie, my special baked beans, and mac and cheese are the ones I am always asked to bring.
5. Are you an impulse shopper? What was the last thing you bought on impulse? I am NOT an impulse shopper….I am an impulse carry it around in the buggier….but usually end up putting it back….only to say later…I wish I had bought that.
6. What is one wish you have for your own funeral? There is not just one wish.  THIS is what I want....period.  I want Richard Forehand and Rexton Lee(two former students) to sing Dust in theWind at my funeral….as they scatter my ashes from the boat deck at Mallory Square in the Keys…at sunset of course.
7. If it's true that joy is in found in the simple things in life, what does your joy look like today? I have great joy. I am learning to simplify this year…and that is making me very happy.
8. What is your favorite type of bread?...Pumpernickle and Jewish Rye….the marbled kind.
9. What trait do you fear developing the most? (Laziness, greediness, grumpiness, etc.) Hoarding….with the death of my father and placement of my mom into a nursing home I have been sickened at the hoarding my traits of my mother. When we went to begin cleaning out their house….I cried for two days. Listen people…if you have ever watched the show “Hoarders”….they do exist…and it is not a pretty site.  if you have never watched it....watch a few minutes....it will scare you to death.
10. What trait would you like most to develop? The ability to live light….and not let “things” clutter my life.
11. Which room in your house best reflects your personality? Why? Right now there isn’t one. I am in the process of packing up for the big preacher to a new church move….so there is not a room in my house with a painting on the wall, dishes in cabinets, without boxes stacked away in a corner. I would have to say before packing…my dining room. I love to do tablescapes and I keep it ever-changing…yep…that would be me…ever-changing....and eclectic.
12. How do you maintain balance in your life regarding, work, family, church, other organizations and activities, and blogging? I wonder that same thing myself.  I am very busy....I work, I am a preachers wife, I attend two services on Sunday....I bowl two nights a week, I have band practice one night a week, I attend bible study....and somewhere in there...I am a wife and teacher who has to get lesson plans done.  I don't waste time I can assure you.  I don't have time to.  I do prioritize and get the important things done in order of importance.…then enjoy the blogging time.  I am also looking forward to the move....in Rock Mills...some of my busyness will be gone....replaced of course with new busyness....but closer to home...and with Frank.  Hope you enjoyed my offerings for today....stop back in anytime....set a spell...take your shoes off.....Have a Happy Wednesday!

Now How Random is That?

It is time for the weekly dose of Random Dozen.  I have to be honest and say I really look forward to Linda, over at 2nd Cup of Coffee's post every Tuesday.  Then I love to sit back and see what my other bloggie buddies are going to post.  The questions are always thought provoking in a funny kind of way.  Todays are kind of deep...but you can make of them what you wish.

1. Have you ever been so lost that you were really afraid?  Nope!  I don't get lost.  I go exploring and have since I was a child.  I must admit I have ended up in some rather quirky places though...while (clears throat) exploring.  :-)

2. Have you ever been to an island?  Yes - all the islands of Lake Martin, two of the Hawaiian islands, the Bahamas, Jamaica, Grand Cayman, the Keys...and a few unnamed.

3. Are you more of a thinker or feeler?  I am a feeler.  My emotional side rules my life.  When my dad was so sick and I was going to have to tell him it was ok to let go....my HEAD knew what to do...but my HEART was not having any of it.
4. Do you tend to see issues or situations in life as black and white or shades of gray?  Gray is one of my favorite shades....although...sepia is becoming one of my new favs.  I can see issues in black and white if it is cut and dry...but I also realize that everything in life is not always black and white...sometimes the edges run and things become gray.
5. If you were stuck on an island, what book would you hope to have with you (Let's pretend the Bible is already there, so you can't say that.) It would have to be a Beth Moore.  With that and the Bible I would be set.
6. What are you most afraid of?  Falling...and not like down....falling from a great height.  I tried to overcome it one year by doing a hang gliding (suicidal) drop.  It did not work.  I told God on the way down if he would allow me to live to touch the ground...I would never try this again. I have lived up to my promise.
7. Would you rather lose all of your old memories or never be able to make new ones? Wow....this is where my mom is right now.  This is Altzheimers Disease....or you are watching 50 First Dates with Drew Barrymore and Adam Sandler.  I would love to always keep my old memories....for therein lies who I am....but the thought of not making new ones is sad....therein lies who I will become.  I DON'T WANT TO LOSE ANY OF THEM!
8. Pretend I'm looking at a scrapbook page about you. There are three spaces for you to drop in individual pictures. What are those pictures of, and why did you select them?  One of me as a child (what will I be?  This would show a beginning place), High School graduation (Oh happy day - the day I set out in the world), and then one of me now(see what I have become)
9. If you were re-doing your wedding, what would you do differently? (If you're single, tell me one thing you would do if you were planning a wedding OR huge party.)  Most people would think I would say....not have a first weddding....but I won't...cause without my first one....I would not have my absolutely awesome daughter.  I am fortunate in a way though.  I had a chance to do re-do.  Wedding one...husband one...sweet day in a small country United Methodist church...it snowed...we were broke....went to Franklin,GA for our honeymoon and stayed at the Chattahootchee Motel...the only thing I would re-do...is that blasted green sherbet punch.  I hate that frothy stuff.  Wedding two - huband two...was perfect.  We married at the end of our Praise and Worship Service....we invited a few special people...but for the most part...the congregation was just unsuspecting attenders of the service.  When the time came for people to join the church....we met in the front and got married.  I had sung on stage...and Frank had run the sound the whole service from upstairs.  My friends put together a wonderful reception....and it was just perfect.  I would not change a thing!
10. Tell me one thing you know/believe about forgiveness.  I believe that I am a forgiven Child of God....and because I am....I need to practice forgiveness with others.  I struggle with forgiveness...I find it hard to forgive myself sometimes...even after God has forgiven me.
11. You're waiting in a doctor's office. What is your favorite way to pass that time?  I keep a pad in my purse and I write....I write about the people waiting....I write about whatever goes through my mind, I also read and sometimes...talk to people around me....but only if they invite me into their lives.
12. If there were a clone of you in a parallel universe what is one way you hope she/he would be the same as you and one way you hope she/he would be better? I would hope she is a good friend...always there for hers....better...I would hope her self-esteem is higher.
Happy Tuesday to all!  I am off to be interviewed by the SACS (Southern Accredidation of Colleges and Schools) team.  I am a nervous wreck...glad I had Random Dozen today.