Blog Love!

I wish to thank my dear blogging friend over at Three Cats and My Coffee Cup bestowed upon me this wonderful Blog Award a couple weeks ago. Thank you my dear friend for passing it on to me.

And, of course, the usual routine that comes with such an honor. Here are some questions that come with this award, and of course those questions need answering.
 
1) My favorite color:   I have to say purple. It's also my birthstone color.

2) My favorite animal:  Horses. Dogs. Cats.

3) My favorite non-alcoholic drink:   Diet Pepsi

4) Facebook or Twitter:   Facebook. I don't get Twitter. lol

5) Do you prefer getting or giving presents?  Both!

6) Favorite day of the week:   Any day where I can sleep in. lol 

7) My favorite flower:   Not a clue, really. Is that bad? I'd say roses but that's "so cliche". 

8) My passion:  Jane Austen. Oh, wait, maybe that's obsession I'm thinking about. I get so confused sometimes. . .  lol

Now to pass this along…these 3 other bloggers I enjoy:

My dear friend Miss H - I have been a loyal follower of hers for a long time now, and will always be.

One Odd Duck - Inevitably I wind up laughing when reading her stuff. Sometimes uncontrollably.

According to Jewels - The girl is pretty amazing, I mean, she did do the Polar Bear Plunge, after all, among many other things!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1.  In the USA this coming Sunday millions will be watching as the Baltimore Ravens take on the San Francisco 49's in the Superbowl.  What was the last event you attended that could be described as super? 

Since we're talking about the Super Bowl, go Niners!!

The last thing that I watched that I would consider super was my first viewing of Donkey Basketball when I was living in Sticksville. And yes, that's me you hear laughing. lol

2.  Share something you're a fan of these days?

 Anything that makes my nose stop running! (Managed to catch a head cold)

3. How do you feel about wings?  In case anyone is confused, I'm talking the edible appetizer kind.  What's your preferred seasoning on a wing-hot, mild, teryiaki, sweet and sour, other?  Do you make your own or is there a favorite place you like to go for wings?   

I'd love a pair, thanks, it'll save on the gas bill. Oh. Well, I like just a simple hot wing - mildly spicy. I love KFC's hot wings, but since the douche that owned all the ones in our region went bankrupt, they've all closed (like 15 or so locations if I remember right).

4.  As long as we're talking sports today...have you followed the Lance Armstrong story?  Did you watch his interview with Oprah and if so what was your reaction to his confession and subsequent remarks? 

Lance is an asshat. I'm glad he finally owned up to it, but he not only cheated himself and his teammates, but his fans and supporters. That's a purely asshat move. I don't feel sorry for him - he brought this on himself.

5.  What's a question you hate to be asked?  

"May I ask you a personal question?"

I actually dated a guy who had an uncle who would randomly go up to people and ask "How's your sex life?" Even to his nephews and nieces. Seriously. Luckily, I managed to escape him.

6. The coaches in this Sunday's big game happen to be real life brothers.  Jim Harbaugh coaches the 49er's and his older brother John Harbaugh coaches the Baltimore Ravens.  Were you and your sibling(s) competitive?  In what way? Are you still?  If you're an only child how did you handle competition growing up?  

I played sports a bit as a kid. I'm not overly competitive, but I can be. Just watch my family and I play a "friendly" game of Aggravation. Watch out. (You've been warned lol)

7.  What's your favorite game involving a ball and when did you last play?

I love volleyball. I played in 8th grade, but didn't make the high school team. It's been years since I've played. I also enjoy ping pong, but again, haven't played it years. Funny though, when we moved into our current house a very long time ago, the previous owners left a HUGE ping pong table - with the balls and paddles! We kept it set up in the garage, and was a great time waster. Eventually it either broke or we got rid of it.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

I drove up to work this morning, and sat for a minute listening to the radio. I looked to my right and there was a truck parked a few spaces away, in front of me. I noticed the occupants were inside, and a puppy on the top of the kennels in the bed of the truck (tied down). This puppy was playing . . . then started circling . . . and promptly squats and takes a dump. I started laughing uncontrollably. At one point, I realized that a good person would go knock on their window and inform of their puppy's doings, but I just couldn't do it. LOL

100 Things I Love About the USA: Part 3

#11. We invented "S'mores". 

No one knows who thought this tasty treat up, and quite frankly, we don't care. Whoever they were, they were freakin' geniuses. This graham-crackery-chocolatey-marshmallowy-deliciousness was "invented" around the turn of the 20th century, probably by campers who were trying to figure what else to do with the newly made marshmallows. I mean, besides eating them straight out of the bag. We even have a National S'mores day (not kidding) dedicated to it. Not to mention we Americans can't really explain why they are so freaking delicious and popular. Considering graham crackers are not the most popular cracker and most people won't eat more than a few marshmallows by themselves. Nor should we really enjoy cooking something over a  campfire on a stick some kid found in the dirt, meaning we have no idea where that stick has been. Oddly enough, S'mores just work and we love them. And it is strange to try to describe these things to foreigners, because y'all think we're just crazy. (But that's only because we are. Crazy.)

#12. Mount Rushmore. 

Left to right: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, Abraham Lincoln.

More than 3 million people travel to South Dakota every year to stare at this mountain. Congress approved funding for this national treasure to represent the first 130 years of America. Construction started in 1927 and continued through 1941. Little tidbit - the original design was to depict our former presidents from head to waist, but lack of funding forced construction to stop in 1941.

#13. Coca-Cola Company and Museum. Coke was invented in the late 1880s in the great state of Georgia, and the headquarters and museum are all located in Atlanta. I've been to the museum, which was very cool even though I prefer the taste of Pepsi to Coke. It is true that originally, Coke's formula had a significant amount of cocaine in it. Coke was named after the two main ingredients, cocaine from the coca plant and for the caffeine from the kola plant. Over time, Coke started using a cocaine-free coca plant and it survived the New Coke debacle of the 80s.

My cousin and I got our giggles on getting our picture taken with the infamous Coke Bear.

And they do come up with some good commercials.

#14. Since I did Coke, I have to do Pepsi, which I prefer the taste of. Pepsi came along a few years after Coke, in the early 1890s in North Carolina. Pepsi barely survived the Great Depression, entering into bankruptcy and was even offered to Coke for purchase three times, and Coke said no. Pepsi was later purchased by a candy maker who wanted to get rid of the Coke dispensers in his stores after the company refused to give him a discount on the syrup. Eventually, Pepsi became a major contender. Today, Coke still outsells Pepsi in most places, but America wouldn't be America without the cola war that continues on. Besides, I'm Team Pepsi. Plus I love when Pepsi makes commercials that joke about their rivalry.

Here's the map of the USA to show you where I've taken you in toady's post.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. The popular saying, 'All is fair in love and war' is originally credited to English writer John Lyly.  Is he right?

That's kind of like "which came first, the chicken or the egg?" Just like either one (nor will we ever know), the answer can be both yes and no this question.
2. Are you a cereal eater?  What's your favorite kind?

I'm not much of a cereal eater. I enjoy Cheerios, Corn Pops, and I will always love Lucky Charms.
3. A five year old in Pennsylvania was recently given a ten day school suspension for talking with a friend about shooting one another with a Hello Kitty Bubble gun (the gun blows bubbles).  She did not have the gun with her at school.
A psychological evaluation was also ordered and the incident was recorded on her permanent record.  The suspension was later reduced to two days and her parents are suing to have the incident removed from her file. Your thoughts?  (If you missed the story click here for details). 

You've got to be effing kidding me. A child was suspended for "talk" of shooting with bubbles???? What has the world come to?! Stop the ride, I want OFF. I'd rather hear this kind of talk than some kid bringing a gun into a school and letting loose with it. If that's not over-kill and over-reacting I don't know what is. Seriously, I never wanted to home school my future children, but at this rate, I'm starting to re-think that. I'm sorry to say this, but this? This is bullshit.
4. Whatever happened to_____________________________?

The news. I mean, the real news. Because, people, the First Lady's hairstyle is not news. I don't care what anyone says - It. Is. Not. News.

5.  January 23rd is National Handwriting Day, billed as a day to reacquaint yourself with a pen and pencil.  Do you like your handwriting? Do you prefer to print or write in cursive?  This date was chosen because its the birth date of John Hancock. What's the last thing you signed your name to?

I had no idea there was a National Handwriting Day! Pretty cool, though. If I'm not in a hurry, I like my handwriting. It's typically a combination of print and cursive, which I think most people wind up doing that. The last thing I signed my name to was my time card.

What is sad is that many schools don't teach cursive handwriting anymore because of time constraints. There are many kids that can't read cursive handwriting because it's no longer being taught. I find that just plain sad.

6. Speaking of John Hancock...ever been to Philadelphia? Do you have any desire to visit the city of Brotherly Love?  

 

As a matter of fact, I have been to Philadelphia! I went in high school; a small group of us kids went to summer school (voluntarily!) for American Government. We spent 3 weeks in the classroom and about 3 weeks back east. A couple of days were spent in Philly since technically it's the birthplace of our nation. Independence Hall was under renovations, so we really didn't get to see it, which was disappointing. I did see the Liberty Bell, and some guy who was acting as Benjamin Franklin - he was a cool guy. Let me tell ya, that was the best way to do a class. I would do it again in a heartbeat, and I'd actually love to retrace our trip one day. We spent a week in DC, and then crawled up the coast, ending in Boston.

7.  Share something funny you've heard a child say.  

 

 I'm not around a lot of kids, so I don't have anything for this one.

8.  Insert your own random thought here. 

I slept about 12 hours Monday night. Luckily Tuesday was my day off. After a busy weekend and a busy Monday, I was dragging by Monday night. I remember waking up around 9am on Tuesday, looked at the clock and simply rolled over. But I felt so much better when I woke up at 11am! lol 

Also, being that I was busy all weekend, I forgot to do my USA post. But you can still go check out my first couple of posts about things I love about the USA.

How To Be A Douche In Stores

It's amazingly easy to not be a douche in a store: Common politeness and courtesy.

Unfortunately, some people lack one or both.

More often, it's both. Sad.

I recently went to the wonderful land of Target. I love Target. I could browse for days in Target and be happy. If I had it all to myself, I could die happy.

Going down the main aisle, on my way to the make-up section because I desperately needed some new mascara. Because when you pull the stick/brush out and it's one large clump, it's time to let the tube rest in peace.

However, I had to take a detour.

Why?

Because evidently several people shopping ran into other shoppers they knew and promptly took up the entire main aisle. Not kidding. The entire aisle. Shopping carts. People. Just taking up important space. They were laughing, talking, and having a grand ol' time.

Shoppers of all kinds were trying to get around them. Trying to sneak through.

And these people were completely oblivious.

Even with other shoppers saying, "Excuse me" all polite-like.

Anybody with a cart had to divert down a side aisle. Like I did, because I had cat litter to buy so I needed a cart.

I hope these people are proud of their douchiness. Hope they enjoyed catching up with friends. And I hope they enjoyed their shopping experience at Target.

So, next time you want to aspire to be like them, just create a Flash Mob or have a family reunion at your favorite store and make sure everyone is in other customer's way.

 

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Lake Superior University has once again published a list of words/phrases they think should be banished from the Queen's English...here's the list for 2013-

fiscal cliff, kick the can down the road, double down, job creators/creation, passion/passionate, yolo (an acronym for you only live once), spoiler alert, bucket list, trending, superfood, boneless wings, and guru.

Which of these words/phrases would you most like to see banished from everyday speech and why. Go here to read more about how the words were chosen.

All of them. Why choose? lol I like people's reasoning when I visited the site. All very good and logical reasons to kick these words and phrases to the curb OR at least let them only be used for their intended purpose. Although "superfood" should just go. And "trending" is annoying. "Boneless wings" don't look like wings at all, but we can't really call them nuggets because chickens don't have nuggets, soooooo . . . we need to find something else. I don't call anyone a "guru" - I do, however, call people "Yoda" (like people who train me lol). So really, all of them can go. They can follow the lemming and jump right off that, um, "fiscal cliff".

2. When was the last time you rode a train? Where did you go?

Never. Unless it was some kiddie train at Disneyland, which I don't think counts, I don't think I've ever been on a train.

3. Bagels-yay or nay? Favorite 'flavor'? Favorite topping?

NAY. I've yet to meet a bagel I liked. Maybe one day. When I'm pregnant and craving all the stuff I don't like. lol

4. 'Tis the season of awards shows...if you could star in a movie already made which one would you choose?

One of my all-time faves is While You Were Sleeping with Sandra Bullock (don't think it even got nominated for any awards, though). I'd like Sandra Bullock's part. For a more recent role, I kinda would like to be Katniss in The Hunger Games because she makes archery look cool and she's pretty bad-ass.

5. The move towards single gender classrooms has been making the news in recent months....what say you? Do you think kids perform better if separated by gender and are taught differently or is that discrimination? If you're a parent, is this something you'd support in regard to your own children?

I'm not a parent, but I don't believe kids should be segregated by gender. I don't think that would do our children any good service. I really feel like society is becoming too freaked out for it's own good. We are offended far too easily, and any little thing we suddenly jump on it and demand change. Some things need changing. This? Doesn't. Unless it's some kind of private school that's always been gender specific, this is not something that needs to be done. Kids need to be around each other and learn from each other and learn how to handle differences and situations. Even if separated, kids will still do stupid things like sexting and bullying (personal or online), and everything else that they do. Not to mention they will still be distracted, still have crushes, and still be kids. Separating them will not make anything better, in my humble opinion.

6. What's your favorite thing about staying in a hotel?

Someone else does the laundry! lol

7. Do you have a 'word' for 2013? What's the story behind your choice?

"Suckinsy". Thus far, 2013 and I are not getting off on the right foot. I'm hoping this means it can really only get better from here.

8. Insert your own random thought here. 

Hmmm. Random thought . . . random thought. My mind is rather empty of random thoughts at the moment. OH. Here's one. If you haven't seen the new show on Discovery (I think it's Discovery) called Africa, you are seriously missing out. I think it's made by the same crew that did Planet Earth, which was freaking awesome. Africa is truly awesome, teaching you in a way that makes you tear up and laugh and go "huh, didn't know that".

Please visit my new series on 100 Things I Love About the USA.  :o)

100 Things I Love About the USA: Part 2

I'm doing a series of posts about things I love about the USA. To catch up on previous posts, please click here. And in no particular order, I continue!

#6. Our accents. I love how diverse our dialects are, and love it when I'm in a region and I hear people actually talking like that. I think it's fun, but I know of a few foreign travelers who have a hard time with all of our different dialects. Hell, even we have trouble understanding all of our own dialects at times. Because, it's not even just by region, which there are plenty of those to begin with. But it's also broken down even further, by regions within those regions. Take the South - there's the basic Southern region, but there are different types of Southern - there's the Deep South like part of Alabama and Georgia; there's Tennessee and Kentucky which are also influenced by the Appalachian Region and Smokey Mountain dialecst; Louisiana is often in its own region, especially around New Orleans.

Then you have New England, Boston, Pennsylvania Dutch, New Jersey and New York accents - which each of the burroughs typically has it's own accent as well. After that you have what they call North and Upper North (or Midland) accents around the Great Lakes areas near the Canadian border, which are heavily influenced by Scandinavian and German immigrant history (if you've ever seen Fargo, you'll know what I mean - that is a tough accent). And we can't forget the Ozark dialect in the Midwest.

And no we don't stop there. Then you break out into the several Western accents inlcuding, Texan, Northwest, Southwest, and of course the Pacific Northwest and Southwest - which is California basically. And even in California, just like every other state/region, dialects vary based on where you live. Up in northern California, we're pretty flat, in that people from other areas of the country think we've just plain lost our accent. In southern California you can wind up with more a Valley accent (think something like Clueless) and Surfer accent (which most people think we all sound like that). And we can't forget Alaskan and Hawaiian.

It's no wonder why people have trouble with our dialects. They are many and each encompass their own worlds. Each region of the country has been heavily influenced in so many different ways by our history. We Americans can travel all over our own country and still feel like a passport is required to visit certain regions. Just think of it as us trying to keep, not only ourselves, but the rest of the world on its toes.

#7. London Bridge, conveniently for us (and not so for the Brits) located in Lake Havasu City, Arizona.

The bridge was (originally) built around 1830 in London (of course) over the River Thames, but by the 1960s it could no longer support the traffic load. So, it was put up for sale, which of course, is totally insane. However, a guy in Arizona decided to buy it (which is equally insane), and was sailed piece by piece from London to Texas and traveled piece by piece overland to Lake Havasu City. It was completed in the early 1970s. We're just keeping it safe and using it as a total tourist attraction. We have no shame.

#8. Starbucks. Born in Seattle in 1971, it is now the world's largest coffee chain. I'm not a coffee person, but they do make a mean hot chocolate.

#9. Four Corners Monument. This is the only place in our country where the corners of four different states meet up - Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah. It's a complete tourist trap - and I know because I've been there. It's nothing huge, really, except that you can stand in four states at one time. We Americans love weird shit like this because it means we can take goofy pictures of ourselves.

#10. We were the birthplace of the King of Rock 'n Roll - Elvis Presley himself. And that means, his home as well, Graceland. This is basically Mecca to all Elvis fans. Graceland is one of the most popular home museums visited on an annual basis (like 2nd or 3rd after the White House). It was opened as a museum in the early 80s, as a last ditch effort to save the family from losing the house and what was left of Elvis' fortune.

 

 Here's the USA map to show you where I've taken you in this posts' journey.

Totally My Bad

So, in my stupidity, I didn't think this all the way through. Obviously. I apologize.

I was wanting streamline some things in regards to my blog, and attempt to be slightly more "anonymous" regarding my face being all over my blog. Reason being was that I'm still job hunting for a full time work. Not that any of my pictures are bad, but I do complain about work once in awhile. I was just being cautious.

And BOOM. I make shit difficult.

In fact, I completely freaked out one of my faithful followers/commenters - which I feel bad about. Hopefully I'm forgiven.

*sigh*

As if I didn't have enough difficulty in my life, I continue to make it.

Hopefully y'all will find me again and forgive me for being *ahem* difficult.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. What is ONE thing or area in your home or life you hope to report is completely organized when 2013 draws to a close?  Do you  have a plan to make it happen? 

Hmmm. I guess maybe have a full-time job that provides benefits and be out on my own. My plan is to keep looking and applying. That's all I can do.

2. What's the worst uniform you've ever had to wear for a job?

I have been very fortunate in my jobs. The only job I ever had to wear a uniform for was when I worked for Petco in college. It was their blue shirt and black or khaki pants. The uniform has changed and it's a bit ugly to be honest. Vet clinics we just wear scrubs, and they can any scrub top, so you don't have to wear ugly tops unless you just like ugly tops.

3. What was your last kitchen 'mishap'?  This question comes to you courtesy of Betty who blogs over at A Glimpse Into Midlife...everyone go say hi to Betty!

I accidentally ran the toaster oven and Granny's microwave at the same time, forgetting that I can't do that. I popped a breaker. Fortunately, I didn't lose power to half the house, just that section of the kitchen. But I had to go outside, in the dark, fiddle with the door to the breaker box for what felt like an hour to get it open to fix the problem.

4. How do you protect yourself from other people's negativity?

It depends on where the negativity is coming from or from how many people. If it's just one person, I'll be upset, but I will also know that I can't please everyone and if they can't see the good I try to do, that's their problem. If it comes from several people, that's even harder, but I keep telling myself I'm not the incompetent/horrible person/whatever they think I am.

5. Who in your family do you most resemble (physically)? If you have children, who do people say they favor? Do you agree? 

Hmmm. Good question. If you ask my dad, I look like my mom. If you ask my mom, she might say my dad. I know for darned tootin' sure I've got my dad's thumbs and my mom's nose.

6. January 8th is National Bubble Bath Day...will you be celebrating?

There's a National Bubble Bath Day?!

7.  Some of the 'world's best winter festivals' are - Mardi Gras (New Orleans), Quebec Winter Festival (Canada), Sundance Film Festival (Park City, Utah),  Rio Carnivale (Brazil), Sapporo Snow Festival (Japan), Venice Carnivale (Italy) and the Harbin Ice Festival (Northern China).  Of those listed (and if cost were not a factor) which would you most like to attend and why?

Mardi Gras would leave me traumatized. I'll take anything else.

8.  Insert your own random thought here. 

Please check out my new series on 100 Things I Love About the USA. At the end of 2012 I finished up a series called 100 Things That Make Me Happy, inspired by a blogging friend. This year, I though I'd share the lovable things about my country. I get disheartened by politicians and the hot air they constantly spew forth, I realize the USA is not perfect by any stretch of the imagination, and yes, we are in trouble in lots of areas. But while all these things worry me or annoy me, I love the country I was born into, and I want to share these things with you.

100 Things I Love About the USA: Part 1

Now that I've finished the series of  100 Things That Make Me Happy inspired by my blogging friend, Charlotte, I'm again following in her footsteps by doing a series of things I love about the good ol' USA. Although, she did hers on England because that's where she lives, so there's that itty bitty difference. So, in no particular order, I begin!

#1. The vastness of America. From the wilderness of Alaska to the shores of Hawaii to the shores of our east coast and everything in between, we have a little bit of everything. An American citizen can go their entire life and still not be able to see everything, so we know it's just as tough for tourists from other nations to decide where to go and what to do. I mean, really, where do you start??

The Alaskan Wilderness. It's no wonder it's the "Last Frontier State".

A turtle in the Hawaiian waters.

An east coast lighthouse.

#2. America is a huge melting pot. Granted, people move around the globe these days so easily for jobs or they just want to reinvent their life. These days almost every country could be considered a melting pot of nationalities. However, the USA began as one - I mean, after white man landed on the shores and stuck a flag in the soil claiming the land as theirs even though it was already inhabited by Native Americans. I mean, besides that detail. Britain stuck a flag in what is currently Virginia, and from that moment on, it was never the same. Colonists came over, criminals were shipped here so that the crown wouldn't have to see them anymore, and eventually, mass immigrations changed what America was. To this day, there are people around the world who want desperately to become US citizens, for the promise of a better or different life.

Just like the mice in An American Tail who thought there were no cats in America, people from other nations hoped for better lives and less strife.

#3.   The Kennedy Space Center, in Cape Canaveral, Florida. It was the launch site for every single American space flight since 1968. I would love to see a space shuttle launch one day. However, because they are now deemed too expensive, NASA has suspended them.

#4. We had the first man to ever set foot on the moon - Neil Armstrong. It was the ending of an era when he passed away in 2012. He boldly went where no man had ever been.

#5. The simple fact that in our culture, it's simply not okay to be 40 and have never left your parents house. In today's economy, many of us are moving back in with Mom and Dad til we get employment to pay off the few hundred thousand dollars in student loans, or the bank foreclosed on your house after you lost your job because your company went poof. Really, that's what family should be - supportive and helpful. I realize that in many cultures, one doesn't move out until married. I respect that. But I'm eternally grateful that our general culture says to move out around 18 or 20 - we need to become responsible.

Here's where I show you where I've possibly taken you within the USA. You'll see "me" in the Northern part of California. Kennedy Space Center is 3,000 miles away in Florida. That's either a few days of driving or 4-5 hour flight, if you can get a straight flight. This map will be used to help my readers who live abroad to picture where in the states certain things are.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

 The first Hodgepodge of the new year! If you want to join in, just click on the image and join Joyce, me and the rest of the gang for a new year in Hodgepodge!

1.  How did you ring in the new year?

Nice and quiet. I enjoyed a movie and dinner out with my parents. I managed to stay up til midnight watching an episode of Psych on DVD and where I witnessed my parents trashy neighbors setting off fireworks, which if I remember correctly, are illegal in our county. Minor detail. Before the fireworks got too loud, I hugged and kissed my cat, Miss Harriet, and that was that. NYE is not usually my holiday, so keeping it quiet is perfectly fine with me.

2.  What is one thing you are looking forward to in 2013?

Getting out of the 5th wheel into a place that will take the cat and hopefully not charge pet rent. Completing the goals I set for myself for 2013. Having some fun.  :o)

3.  Steven Spielberg is quoted as saying, "All of us every single year, we're a different person.  I don't think we're the same person all our lives."  What say you?

We are constantly evolving and adapting. I'm not the same person I was 10 years ago. Who I was a year ago is a lot closer, but I've still changed. We have to change, we have to adapt - everything and everyone does. I think most often we just don't realize it until years later how much we've changed over time. Just think, if people never changed, we may never have made it out of our caveman days.

4. The Pantone color of the year for 2013 is emerald green. Like or dislike? Do you already own something this color?  Will you add something in this shade to your home or wardrobe in 2013?

I've never heard of Pantone and when I visited the site, I still couldn't tell exactly what it is. Oh well. I like emerald, I actually have some jewelry given to me by my first boyfriend. It's currently in a box somewhere . . . and I wear green - don't know if it's necessarily emerald green, but it's green.

5.  Speaking of emerald...what's your favorite gemstone?

Amethyst. It's my birthstone.  :o)

6. Share a favorite book or movie from 2012.

Hands down, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. I cannot tell you how many times I've read all three books, and I only first read them in March of '12. Just before the movie came out, and it was highly suggested. Once I saw the movie, I loved it as well, and bought the next two books. I love the books and I loved the movie. It was the only movie of 2012 that I felt I had to see.

And I should have known I had to see Lincoln, because it was a great movie. I mean, WOW.

7.  What is something you want to tell yourself at the start of this brand new year?

No matter what, you have family and friends who love and support you. And a cat to purr in your ear while you sleep.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

Just watched The Bourne Legacy. I had tried telling Dad that this movie in no way contains Matt Damon, but he didn't believe me - because the of the title of the movie, it has Bourne in it. lol But we enjoyed it anyway. I think the new guy is kinda hot, so it's all good to me. lol