The Disappearing Questions

This from Bud about this week's survey....and Bud, I really like what you said about those of us who still blog:

We found this gem on Sunday very quickly. It's from a since retired blog that ended in that 2008 or so massive deserted blogs and bloggers. Other social media kicked the shit out of us. Why write a 600 word column and get four comments when you can go Facebook and publish a pic of freakin' dog and get 50 likes and 25 comments. You knowwhat I think? (OK, I do acknowledge that most of you are thinking, "Not really Bud - we're here to do the damn questions", I think the blogosphere is better off without them. We who stayed are the artists, writers, humorists who don't care how many comments we get. We write because we are writers. Oh, wow. I do run on, no? The dead blog was called !enaj em s'taht. She got these questions from a blogger who not only stopped blogging, he deleted his blog.

Cheers to all of us thieves!


Sunday Stealing: The Disappearing Questions 


1. Last movie you saw in a theater?  

Suicide Squad.  It's not the type of movie we normally see, but we wanted to see a movie that day and nothing else appealed even a little.  We were pleasantly surprised by the fact that it was fairly good and very entertaining...even in 3-D.

2. What book are you reading?

Divine Evil by Nora Roberts.  I've read four Mary Kay Andrews books in a row. I enjoy them, but need a break.

3. Favorite board game?

LIFE was always my favorite growing up and I still like it.  I also like Sequence which is a strategy game played with cards on a board.

4. Favorite magazine?

Country Sampler

5. Favorite smells?

Babies, the beach, bread baking in the oven, the air after it rains, and fresh-picked Concord grapes.

6. Favorite sounds?

Thunderstorms, children's laughter, cat purrs, birds at dawn, and the beach (all of it...wind, waves, seagulls).

7. Worst feeling in the world?

Being cut out of the life of someone you care about very much.

8. What is the first thing you think of when you wake up?

Get the dogs outside!

9. Favorite fast food place?

Lately it's been Arby's, but Taco Bell has a couple of things I like, too.  On the whole I don't really like too much fast food.

10. Future child’s name?

Oh, honey...that boat sailed a long time ago.

11. Finish this statement. “If I had lot of money I’d….?

Give a lot of it to the charities of my choice, pay off all our debt, and buy/build our dream house.  Oh, and I'd probably have to buy a Mustang, too.  The rest would go in the bank or be invested for our retirement and the kids and grandkids in the future.

12. Do you sleep with a stuffed animal?

Only if the Poodle eats before bed.

13. Storms – cool or scary?

It depends.  Mostly cool, but there's always that one storm that crosses the line.

14. Favorite drink?

Diet Coke, water, and wine.

15. Finish this statement, “If I had the time I would….”?

Probably still do the same things I do now....read and spend too much time on Facebook.  I'd just do more of it.

16. Do you eat the stems on broccoli?

Up to a point.  I don't like the really long ones.

17. If you could dye your hair any color, what would be your choice?

I really like some of the bright hues of blue and purple out there, but I'm waiting for my hair to go completely gray/white....and according to my husband, for him to die because he is not in favor of it.  So, I guess we'll go with what I got done today...a simulation of my original dark brown but with blonde and red highlights.

18. Name all the different cities/towns you’ve lived in?

Cambridge Springs, PA...Latrobe, PA...Indiana, PA...Orlando, FL

19. Favorite sports to watch?

Football, figure skating, and gymnastics.

20. One nice thing about the person who sent this to you?

Nobody sent this to me.  I subjected myself to it.

21. What’s under your bed?

My Fluidity Bar (exercise thingy) and I'm not sure what else except probably dust bunnies and maybe some of the missing socks (I think the Poodle drags them under there now and then).

22. Would you like to be born as yourself again?

That means that I'd have to go through life again.  No, not interested in that. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy and I enjoy my life, but when it's over I'm ready to be with God.

23. Morning person, or night owl?

I have to get up at the butt-crack of dawn for work but I'm a night owl by nature.  I usually flip it around during the summers when I am off for 3 months.

24. Over easy, or sunny side up?

Around these parts we like 'em "dippy."

25. Favorite place to relax?

Right here at home.  Usually I'm in the recliner or at the kitchen island or in my library/craft room.

26. Favorite pie?

Strawberry-rhubarb.

27. Favorite ice cream flavor?

Chocolate

28. Of all the people who play, how many of the posts do you usually read?


Usually all of them.  I might miss a few if they don't post until late, but I try to check later in the day, too.

Fits Me to a T

Is it just me or does Raqonteur's self
portrait look like a bad police artist's
sketch?

We found this gem because of the questions the Cool Guy 7 wrote for us last week. He stated that he wrote the questions because of his blogger buddy Raqonteur had already written his 20 questions. If any of this is true or not, matters very little. By this time next week, we could be at war with Mexico, Australia or Iran. Buckle in everybody. It’s going to be a crazy ride. Feel free to make up your own question and dump the math one. Or do it. It’s all the same to us. We are posting late today. For us. We are still publishing “Sunday’s Favorite Questions” on a Saturday, so no one will notice. We think. Please like is on Facebook(details below) and Google Plus in our side bar. Let's get to it!

Cheers to all of us thieves!

Sunday Stealing: The Racquet Questions 



01  What is the worst nickname that anyone has ever called you?

I don't remember anyone ever calling me a bad nickname.

02  Have you got a favorite flower?

I like sunflowers and zinnias.

03  Do you add a sauce, ketchup or other artificial flavorings to your food?

It depends.  I rarely use ketchup these days and I never ruin a good steak with sauce, but many other things go well with some sort of sauce.  Crab rangoons need duck sauce, deep-fried green beans and zucchini cry out for ranch....you get the idea.

04  Describe yourself using only words that begin with the letter 'T'.

Thinker, tough, thankful, tactful, tattooed, tired, toasty...

05  What is/was your lover's pet name for you?

Ace

06  What is your least favorite color?

1980s' vintage mauve and sea foam green.

07  Who did you vote for in the last election, and did they win?

Do we really have to keep going there?  Week after week?  We don't have to share political ideologies or agree on everything, but the election is over, can we just make like Elsa and "let it go" and move forward?

08  What is/was your grandfathers’ names?

Joseph and Allen

09  What is the best present you ever received?

I'm going to go with the electric typewriter I got the Christmas before I started college as a journalism major.

10  What is 17 1/2% of 97 + 42 x (6 / 2) – 137 ? [Editor's note: Holy shit!]

I have no idea and WHY WOULD I CARE????

11  What would be the best possible way you could die?

In my sleep.  I want to go to bed and wake up dead.

12  Given the choice of absolutely anything, what would be your dream job?

I am torn between antique dealer and book dealer.

13  What position do you sleep in at night?

On my side, curled up in a ball.

14  What is the most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to you?

If it's all that embarrassing, why on earth would I tell you?

15  Who is your favorite fictional character?

Probably Stephanie Plum from Janet Evanovich's By the Numbers series.

16  What food do you hate most in the world?

Eggplant

17  When was the last time you were ill?

I had a rather nasty intestinal virus back during the first week of January that cost me 3 days off work.

18  If you were transformed into a wild creature, what would it be?

I don't know....maybe a bear?

19  What was your favorite toy as a child, and whatever happened to it?

That would be my Barbies and all that went with them.  I think they are in my mom's attic.

20  What's the most amazing thing you've ever seen? 

This world.  Seriously.  Sometimes I am just in awe of all the intricacies and how everything is connected and works together.

Enjoy this Super Bowl Sunday no matter

who you are rooting for.  Though, I have

to say, for just this one day...ALL of us 

Steeler fans are rooting for the Falcons!

Sunday Stealing, The Cool Guy Questions

We found this gem our usual way by googling. Our hero CoolGuySevenSevenSev decided to do a random questions thing from his friend's blog, as he said, "So, after doing the crap out of [Raqonteur's 20 random questions]...I decided to try my hand in the 20 random questions field and created this." We'd hazard a guess that "by this" he did not know that our mighty band of thieves would tackle his questions today. These are unedited. I mention that because I usually try to take the author edgier questions off or modify them. Not that you can't handle them, but our experience has told them that no one comes here to reveal things about their own sexuality. Oh, and there's those questions that we've been asked a million times. Our pledge to you is that we will never again ask you to turn to your left and tell us what you see. Or what you had for dinner. If you catch our drift. And my, we are drifting. But I slept 14 hours last night. I have no idea why, but since it's a Wednesday as I write this getting up at 1PM is not acceptable. So we go back to alarms tonight. 

Cheers to all of us thieves!



Sunday Stealing: The Cool Guy Questions 


1.) When was the first time you ever swore or said something profane?

I think I was about 5 years old.  I heard some young guys yelling something on the street when my grandmother and I were in town.  I didn't say anything then, but later at home asked her what it meant.  She slapped me so hard she knocked out my loose tooth!  I remember all that, but not what word it was.

2.) Have you ever had unrequited feelings for someone?/Have you ever been friendzoned?

I think everyone has had a crush on someone at one time or another and not had the feelings returned.  I had a huge crush on a guy all the way through jr. high and high school.  I thought he hung the moon.  These days I am able to look at him and where he is and be thankful he never returned my feelings.

I don't know if I've been friendzoned.  What is that?

3.) What's a false assumption a lot of people have about you?

A lot of people assume I'm stuck up because I don't do a lot of talking in group situations.  I'm not, I'm just a bit shy and definitely introverted unless I know people quite well and feel comfortable with them.

4.) Have you ever questioned your sexuality?

No.

5.) If you could bring one person back from the dead, who would it be and why?

I'd bring back my Nana, but only if I could bring her back at a younger age, before her mind left her.  She was my best friend and greatest champion and she taught me so much.  I miss her every day.

6.) What did you do on December 12th last year?

That would be this past December 12th, right?  I sat around the hospital ALL day waiting for my grandson to be born...and then he waited until the next day.

7.) When was the last time you truthfully told someone you hated them?

I honestly can't remember.  I try to find something good in everyone and I try to forgive everyone for my own peace of mind.  Hate/unforgiveness will eat you alive and turn you into a bitter person.

8.) What is your opinion on this song? What about this song?

Well, the powers that be over at You Tube tell me the first song has been removed due to something about third-party sharing and the second one....eh.  It doesn't really do anything for me one way or another.

9.) In less than four sentences, describe the entire plot of the last book you read.

Girl catches fiancee with maid of honor the night before the wedding and throws a major hissy fit, calling off the wedding. Girl decorates Southern plantation house for new guy in town.  Girl ends up involved with new guy.

10.) Describe the appearance of the most untrustworthy person you can think of (they can be a person you've met or a made up person). Are they male or female or neither? What about their appearance makes them untrustworthy?

I think I can guess who most of you are going to answer this question with.  I have a different answer that probably won't win me any popularity contests, but I just can't buy a single thing that comes out of that mouth.  

It isn't really her appearance that says that, but her behavior.  I don't like to judge by looks.

11.) What is the most cringe-worthy thing you've ever seen?

I don't even know where to start.  With the news feeling the need to show us everything and my husband's love of true crime shows....

12.) What is your biggest regret?

Keeping my daughter in public school.  She really didn't get anything good from it.  Even though she would have fought me all the way, home schooling would have been a better thing for her.

13.) Do you have any cousins? When was the last time you saw them?

If we are talking first cousins, I don't have any on my mom's side of the family and only 2 on my dad's side...and of those 2, one had pretty much cut himself off from family years ago and hasn't come around at all since his mother died and his brother is toxic, encouraging a divide between my son and the rest of us.  I have nothing to do with him.  I'm not angry any more, but I choose not to expose myself to his hate and ridicule for not thinking the same way he does.

14.) Describe the worst birthday you've ever had.

The one my husband forgot.  It was a total non-event.  He hasn't forgotten since.  Smart man.

15.) When was the last time someone provoked you to the point of violence?

I don't think I've ever been provoked to violence.

16.) OH NOES!!!! Someone has gotten you to drink a truth potion and now you have to truthfully answer every question you are asked!!! What's the worst possible question someone could ask you?

How much do you weigh/what size do you wear?

17.) Describe, in detail, your first serious relationship. Describe how it ended.

He was artsy and kind of had that whole 80's New Wave look going on and I was a little in awe of that, I think, but we got along well. It was our freshman year of college so more than anything our relationship was about partying on the weekends and activities through his fraternty, but we talked about stuff, too.  It ended when he went to a fortune teller (yeah, he believed in them) and she said we weren't a good match.

That's us during happy times.

18.) Introduce your best friend. Tell the story of how you met.

She's older than me and the most upbeat, crazy person I know.  She has limitless energy and is a rock for everyone around her.  I met her through my sister-in-law originally and now aside from being my friend, she is also my Bible teacher.

19.) To the introduced friend, has our interviewee lied in any of these questions? Are you surprised by any of these answers?

She's not here so I don't know how she's supposed to answer this, but I don't think she'd be surprised.  I am pretty much an open book with her.  She knows stuff I've never told anyone else.

20.) To finish up, what is your biggest irrational fear and how did you get it?

Sharks!  I begged naaaaaaagged my mom to take me to see Jaws when it came out.  I think I was 12.  I spent most of the movie with my eyes covered (it didn't take long to figure out that when you heard that music something awful was going to happen) and for months I was afraid to let any part of my body hang over the edge of the bed for fear a shark would bite it off!  To this day I am not fond of swimming in any water I can't see what's out there and that includes swimming pools at night unless they are lit.  I love the beach and the ocean, but I do not go in the water deeper than my ankles and even that still causes anxiety.  In my defense, all the stories about shark attacks these days make my fear seem a little less irrational.

Breaking the Ice

It's time once again for a little Sunday Stealing, the weekly meme where the questions are unapologetically stolen from other sources, but where credit is given (when possible).

Bud's bit of introduction to this week's questions...slightly edited.

"It is hard to say where we got these questions. They are from a martial arts site and we think are meant for questions to ask your opponents when you meet. We “think” because most of the site is in French. Also, you’d never ask any of the original questions to someone that you just met. Those questions were not what we’d ask someone when we met. But there were 50 questions that we both stole and edited to become today’s massive event. We got the title from the original site."

Cheers to all of us thieves!

Sunday Stealing: The Icebreaker Questions

1. Are you loud, outgoing or shy?

It totally depends on the situation and the people around me.  I am by nature an introvert...I tend to loathe small talk and relationships can tax me, but put me with people I know well and am comfortable with and I can be loud and even outgoing.  Shyness can rear it's head when it comes to public speaking.

2. What’s coming up where you’ll see an old friend?

Not a thing I can think of.  This year marks 35 years since I graduated, but I've heard nothing of a class reunion.  That doesn't surprise me given the failure of the last one (which was the first one I ever attended).  Out of a class of 365 there were about 30 people there and that included some spouses!  Many said they were not interested and would never be interested and asked to never be contacted again.  I admit I'm not all that interested.  If we were friends then I've kept up with you and even if I didn't, we now have Facebook so it's very easy to keep up with classmates.

3. Are you easy to get along with?

Usually.  Some might say too much so.  Sometimes I let people walk over me in order to keep the peace.

4. Have you ever given up on someone, but then gone back to them?

No.  If I have cut you out of my life it's because I've given you too many chances already and you are toxic.

5. Who was the last person that you had a deep conversation with?

That would be Marie, one of the women from my Bible study group.  We met for lunch this past week and had a great conversation about faith.

6. Are you okay with being in a big crowd?

I'd prefer not to be if it's a party or something like that.  I'm fine at something like a concert or festival.

7. Do you believe in luck and/or miracles?

As a person of faith I definitely believe in miracles.  Luck, not so much.  I think there's truth in the saying that we make our own "luck" through the choices we make along the way.

8. What good thing happened during the summer? (It’s good to think about summer when you are freezing your butt off in January.)

The best things that happened this past summer were our daughter moving out (before our relationship was destroyed) and her boyfriend and father of her son, proposing to her the day they took possession of their first apartment.

9. Do you think there is life on other planets?

It's certainly possible.  The universe is a vast place and speaking from my faith...the Bible does not rule it out, it simply tells the story of creation on this planet.

10. Who was your first crush on?

I'm not sure which came first, but it was either Roy Rogers or Dean Martin. How's that for variety?

11. What are your bad habits?

Procrastination, biting my nails, and spending too much time on Facebook.

12. What’s your favorite part of your daily routine?

When I get home at the end of the day and have an hour or so to myself to start dinner, get showered, have a glass of wine.

13. Other than your significant other, who are you most comfortable with?

Probably my daughter.  Even though we fought something awful while she was still living at home, we have been through a LOT together and we are close.

14. Has an ex ever told you that they regret breaking up?

No.  I've never really spent any time with an ex.

15. Why should your celebrity crush drop everything to be with you?

He shouldn't because we're both married.  If we weren't he should be with me because we have a lot in common and I'd adore him for him not for his celebrity.

16. What would be the hardest to give up and why? Books. TV. Music.

Books because I've been reading full length novels since I was in elementary school, music because it takes me back to certain times in my life, and lastly TV. In fact, TV wouldn't be hard at all.

17. Do you believe in second chances?

I do.  Not to the point of putting your emotional or physical well-being at risk, though.

18. What would like to do next in your life?

Find a job I really enjoy, do a little bit of traveling.

19. What’s the meanest thing that anyone has ever said to you?

It was something my husband said at a low point in our marriage.  I'd prefer not to share.  We've moved on.

20. What’s the nicest thing that anyone has ever said to you?

So many have said wonderful things to me that I cherish, but one that stands out is my dad saying I was a good cook.  My dad was old-school and a man of few words.  I only ever heard him say that my mom's mom was a good cook. Mom had to fish for compliments about the meals she cooked and even then all Dad ever said was "I ate it didn't I?"  So when he told other people I was a good cook that was high praise indeed. 

I'll Sleep When I'm Dead

From Bud:

We found this gem from a blogger named Tyfordd from the blog Tyfordd's Gallery. She states she was tagged by her good “friendo” but does not mention who. We mean unless "friendo" is an actual name. It is both strange and exciting to find a blog that still gets tagged to do random questions. This was done in August. The host of the blog is Deviantart that used to be something else, but it is that site that calls blogs “journals”. THE ugliest layout (and always has been) and why these folks never found Word Press or Blogger is beyond me. It is impossible to figure out whether you are dealing with a name or the blog's journal's name. In this post, they have 10 rules to do these questions. We won’t share them because we hate freakin’ rules. About last week: I did not make it to all of your posts, but I do owe all of you an apology. I really thought that last week’s questions would be a little different. It was great until I tried to play. Man, was that dumb. Anyway, we are back with a more traditional approach. Also, thanks for letting me know you read this. Hey, you never know unless you ask. As far as the name goes, it actually was the title of this exercise. I couldn't really figure it all out. But hey, what else is new?

Cheers to All of Us Thieves!

Sunday Stealing: The Very Forceful Questions

1. Do you have/have you had any pets?

The same two dogs I have every time this question gets asked.  Elvis, the Beagle/Basset mix and Daisy, the toy Poodle.  

2. Do you play video games? If so, do you have a favorite video game series?

I don't play video games.  I play some games on Facebook but they are mindless matching games, bingo, and hidden picture types of things.

3. Any unpopular opinions on anything?

I'm a conservative Christian, I own guns, and I voted for Trump....all are fairly unpopular among the Sunday Stealing crowd.

4. Do you have a favorite gem? If yes, has anyone ever bought you jewelry with that gem?

I tend to like blue topaz...or pieces of jewelry with a combination of blue topaz and emeralds.  I own blue topaz, but none of the mixed.  Yet.

5. Favorite story genres?

Mysteries!  I grew up on Scooby-Doo, Nancy Drew, Trixie Beldon, and the Hardy Boys and my love of all things spooky has stuck with me.

6. What was once a secret that you can now share? (The original question was "What kind of fruit do you hate" which is type of question that I think "who cares?" so I just change them.)

When my daughter first found out she was pregnant she told me right away, but asked me not to tell my husband until she and her fiancee could tell him.  After they told him they asked me to sit on it again until they told her fiancee's parents...which they didn't do for a few weeks.  The baby was born Dec. 13 so it's definitely not a secret any longer.  

Love my new grandson and got to spend some time with him this afternoon so...gratuitous baby picture:

7. Do you like reading?

I do.  As an only child growing up in remote areas without other kids around, I developed a love of reading very early and read far beyond my age.  I loved that I could experience places and adventures I'd never have in real life.  Today I have an entire room filled with book shelves and I am always on the search for more.

8. What time is it for you now, what are you usually doing at this time of the day?

I'm doing this on Saturday night at (currently) 9:09 p.m.  During the week I'm getting ready to head to bed most nights.  When you get up at 3:45 bedtime is really early.

9. What character on TV or in film is most similar to you? You can go with looks or personality. Or you can make a quip and go to the next question.

I don't watch that much TV so I don't have a lot of characters to choose from. Of the shows I watch, I guess I'd say I most identify with the characters on "Last Man Standing," which I guess means they are most like me?

10. What's something weird you wanna do? It cannot be weirder than Mr. Watermelonhead. 

I'd like to go on a cross-country trip based on restaurants featured on "Diners, Drive-ins & Dives."

11. Have you ever accomplished a New Years Resolution?

I'm sure I probably accomplished some minor one at some point in my life, but I have no idea what it might be.

12. Is there any music artist you look up to?

Not really, though I like the songs of the Christian group Casting Crowns.  Their lyrics so often speak to my soul and what's going on in my life.

13. Are you allergic to anything? If yes, what?

Pollen, molds, and some antibiotics.

14. When was the last time you took a swim? Who else was with you?

It had to have been the summer of 2015, the last summer we had the pool. Chances are I was alone.

15. Would you rather have the ability to sleep for as long as you want, or have the ability to never have to sleep?

I don't sleep all that much now.  If I didn't get tired I'd choose to never sleep at all.  Think of the extra time to get things done or just enjoy life.

That's it for this week.  Life is still not back to normal around here.  If you recall, I had the flu last week (intestinal variety).  I felt a lot better this week, but work was still not normal thanks to the crazy weather.  And my husband was getting sicker as the week went on.  I finally convinced him to go to Med-Express today. He has acute bronchitis and is possibly developing pneumonia.  The doctor said he has the worst cough he has ever heard (it is bad...and quite gross).  He's on a super antibiotic, cough medicine with codeine and an inhaler.  Fun, fun, fun. I hope the coming week finds us getting over all this sickness and getting on with life.  2017 is supposed to be a GOOD year.  

This Ain't Fantasy Island

This from Bud:

We found this gem the old-fashioned way. We googled it. Not this title, it came last. We hate to use memes from other sites. There are a lot of places that regular generates questions via a program or app (and are they really different things? We do ponder life’s mysteries late at night!) The thing is that Kwizgiver did it and we we’re none the worse for it. In fact, I think it helped us. (Of course, you are included.) As far as Stealing goes, I really thought I’d just wait a couple of weeks and then attempt to pass it off to the next thief.  But a funny thing happened. I really enjoy doing this and many weeks it’s all I do. In a "doing the questions" thing.
  
Not that any of this matters to you, but WTF, you can skip ahead. In fact I 

imagine most of you did. Prove me wrong and add a comment by just saying “I read the stupid stuff." The long winded point is this: I got this meme site, now defunct shockingly, because all they did were memes “If you were stranded on an island…” and it was called The Ships Meme. Even I couldn’t make this shit up. They didn’t last long so we just stole some random questions and gave them a name. Our original title was “The Gilligan Island Questions” but then we figured that those of you were too young or would think it was about the show. So sorry, we won’t ask the Ginger or Maryanne question. So, for the first time this year of 2017 (get this - it is our 50th Anniversary Year of WTIT), I will raise my glass of Smirnoff and toast!

Cheers to all of us thieves!


Sunday Stealing: The Shipwreck Questions


You are shipwrecked with friends (your group can include real life or virtual life or both) think about it and picksome friends to truly enjoy your cruise +  and tell us why you assembled the group by just telling us...

Who would throw the wildest parties, and why did you pick them?

At this point in life, I wouldn't be choosing anyone based on their wild party skills, but I'd bring my friend, Fran, because she's very outgoing and fun to be around, but not wild.  Sorry.

Who would always fall asleep on the couch, and why did you pick them?

That would be my husband, but I'd bring him because, well, he's my husband and I love him and all that.

Who would enter to be in a talent show, and why did you pick them?

Maybe my husband's youngest sister?  She used to be a pretty good singer.  I can't think of anyone else.  My friends and family are totally not the talent show type.

Who would try to get out of doing their chores and why did you pick them?

That would probably be my daughter.  We have had more words over the years about just that.

Who would accidentally set the kitchen on fire whilst cooking and why did you stupidly pick them?

That would either be my husband or my daughter.  Both are horrible about putting stuff on the stove or in the oven and not setting the timer or getting busy with something else and not paying attention.

Who would try to domesticate an island pet and why did you pick them?

Maybe my friend, Helen.  She has just about one of every kind of animal now...dogs, cats, rabbits, chickens, goats, minature donkey, chinchillas, bearded lizard, ball python...

Who would make the other carry their bags on a shopping spree and why did you pick them?

That would be Fran again.  She takes her hubby along on lots of trips to carry the bags.  She calls him her "mule."

Who would throw the first person of the boat and why did you pick them?

Ric, who always says he doesn't really like people.

Who would be the best caregiver when someone got sick & why did you pick them?

Michelle.  She always wants to make things better.  She is completely unselfish.

Who would try to force the another to play sports with them & why did you pick them? 

I can't think of anyone that competitive. 

Who would have the best holiday ideas for your space on the island and why did you pick them?

Fran again, but I'd come in a close second.  We both have great ideas and vision, but she tends to put it into play while I don't really do as much.
  
Who would need to clean out someone others stuff to make room for their own & why did you pick them? 

That would be Dee.  The woman does not travel light.

Who worries about how they will look when they’re older & why did you pick them?

That's Dee again.  She is my age, but tells everyone (even her own daughter) that she is 38.  She hates everything about getting older.

Flashes everyone when they walk by after taking a shower alone & why did you pick them?

Yeah, I don't have any friends who would do that.

Who wakes you to asks weird questions in the middle of the night & why did you pick them?

My daughter.  I swear every single phone call from her begins with "I have a question" and she's a night owl.

Who will constantly ask you “what are you thinking about?” & why did you pick them?

My husband, just to annoy me for kicks.

Which of your friends on this island might being too touchy-feely while you interact, why did you pick them?

I don't have any friends like that, either.  I hate it when people who are not my immediate family or best friend crowd into my personal space just to talk.  My husband has a relative who could never talk to me without putting her hand on my arm and being six inches from my face.  Her husband is even worse.  He feels the need to try and kiss me every time he sees me.  I tend to feel the need to plant a knee...he's kinda pervy.

Saying Goodbye to 2016

Today the thieves celebrate New Year's and wrap up 10 years (!) of thievery!  

Cheers to all of us thieves!

Sunday Stealing: Bud's Last Stand of 2016

1. What did you do in 2016 that you’d never done before?

Not a lot, it wasn't the best of years.  I turned 52...hadn't done that before. Watched my daughter get proposed to...also new.  Um....can't think of anything else.  Like I said, it wasn't a great year.

2. Best thing that happened to you was...

It's a toss up between our daughter moving out or the birth of our second grandson.  Normally the grandson should win, but the relationship with our daughter had become one of such discord and stress that the relief was HUGE.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

Kind of answered that already, but yes, our daughter gave birth to her first child on Dec. 13 in the middle of a snow storm.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

Not this year, thank you, Lord.  There have been far too many holiday deaths in the family over the years.

5. What countries did you visit?

This one, but since I live here I guess it really can't be called visiting.

6. What would you like to have in 2017 that you lacked in 2016?

A comfortable financial situation.  I don't care if it comes in the form of more money or less bills.  Either would work just fine.

7. What dates from 2016 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

November 9, because I woke up to find that Trump had won the election.  I was not a "fan" of either candidate.  I thought both were absolutely horrible and it is telling that they were the best we could come up with.  

December 13, because of the above mentioned grandson's birth.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Surviving it and also keeping my mouth shut and "playing nice" through the entire election season when pretty much no one else was even attempting to be kind, polite, or anything that didn't make you want to punch their stupid face in.

9. What was your biggest failure?

Any and all attempts at dieting.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Nothing worth mentioning.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

Fleece-lined leggings.  Those things are awesome!

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

The police officers who kept getting up, putting on their uniforms, and going to work to keep us safe every day.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

Pretty much the entire population of the country.  We really showed our ugly underbelly this year...and I'm not just talking about the election.  Just so much hate and violence everywhere you turned.

14. Where did most of your money go?

My husband's pickup truck.  Just don't ask any more about it.  Really.  It's a sore, sore, sore point.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

That grandson I mentioned and my daughter moving out.

16. What song will always remind you of 2016?

Can't think of one.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you: (a) happier or sadder? (b) thinner or fatter? (c) richer or poorer?

A.  About the same.  B.  About the same.  C.  Poorer.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?

Pretty much anything.  It was not an exciting year...lack of funds.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?

Facebook.  Biggest time-sucking black hole in the universe.

20. How will you spend New Year's Eve?

We went to our friends' home.  Nothing exciting...talked, ate really bad for us food, played cards.

21. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

Again...nothing.  I really didn't pay a lot of attention to music this year.

22. What was your favorite new TV program?

New?  I guess maybe "The Great Indoors."  I don't watch much television and we recently got rid of cable and/or satellite service and only have Netflix and Hulu.

23. What was the rudest thing someone did to you in 2016?

I invited two friends to go on a one day bus trip.  One of them completely monopolized the other and I was pretty much shut out all day.

24. What was the best book you read?

One of the Janet Evanovich ones.  I read Turbo Twenty-three in the Stephanie Plum series, but also the latest in her two other series.

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?

Home Free

26. What did you want and get?

A Total Gym.

27. What did you want and not get?

The biggest, most powerful Ninja blender.

28. What was your favorite film of this year?

We only saw two in the theater...Independence Day: Resurrection and Suicide Squad.  Of those, I really liked Suicide Squad.

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

I hit the big 5-2 this year.  I didn't do anything to celebrate.

30. What one thing made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

Hillary lost the election.  Sorry, I know most of you are fans.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2016?

Comfort.

32. What kept you sane?

My faith.

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

Can't say that there was one.

34. What political issue stirred you the most?

Uh....the presidential election. D'uh.

35. Who did you miss?

As always, my grandmother.

36. Who was the best new person you met?

I didn't exactly just meet him, but I got to know a guy at work a lot better.  He's a retired state trooper and he's full of interesting stories and man, is he funny.


Here's a bonus I promised a couple of the Saturday 9'ers...a few pictures of my Santa collection.

That's all for today.