Wednesday Hodgepodge

I've been staying away from the Hodgepodge lately because frankly I can't stand all the festive happy holiday-related questions. I haven't been feeling particularly festive or happy lately, so I thought it best to keep quiet versus spewing tons of negativity. I did read quite a few people's posts however, or as much as I could before the "happy families" of it all got me too far down.

1. Time magazine has selected The Ebola Fighters as their person of the year for 2014. Do you agree, and if so who would you say is a close second? If you disagree with their choice, who do you think should have been chosen?
I work in healthcare, I try really hard not to keep up with healthcare news in my off time so I have limited knowledge of the ebola people. I think the nurse and the reporter who broke quarantine should have been punished more harshly...it's one thing to prove a point, it's an entirely other thing when you put people's lives at risk, however minimal. Granted, they didn't get anyone else sick, but there were no guarantees they wouldn't have had they come across the "right" person. The reporter was just dumb and didn't know any better. The nurse, who has dedicated her life to helping others, should have lost her license. It was reckless and selfish, something you wouldn't expect from someone who volunteered to go to a third-world country to help those in need. If they had locked her up in Gitmo or something, I could see the need for protest. They didn't (but maybe they should have).

2. This question comes to you courtesy of Susan who blogs over at Stew Mama Says. She knows we have a wedding happening any minute now, and she asks, 'What's your favorite-something old? something new? something borrowed? something blue in your home? Be sure you hop over and say hi to Susan today!
My favorite something "old" would be Zachary, which means "new" would be Bam. I don't like to borrow things (nor do I like to lend things out), so I don't have anything borrowed. I guess, right now, the blue thing would be me...everything else is pretty much purple.

3. Fudge-yay or nay? Your favorite flavor? Do you make it yourself? With nuts or without?
Overall, I'd say nay on the fudge. Upon occasion, I will eat Tiger Butter, but only rarely and I usually only get it in Eureka Springs. Since Tiger Butter has no nuts (and I don't really care for nuts anyway, except for almonds), I'll say nay to the nuts as well.

4. December 17th is Wright Brothers Day, commemorating the first successful flights made by Orville and Wilbur Wright in 1903 in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. How old were you when you made your first flight? Do you like to fly? Have you ever been to Kitty Hawk or other parts of the North Carolina Outer Banks?
I was 10 and it was to Disney World. I love flying, it's airport security that I have the most issues with. Numerous sleepless nights, several panic attacks, and large quantities of Xanax are consumed to get through it.

I have been all over North Carolina, from one side to the other (I had family there), but it's been years since I've been and I've never been to Kitty Hawk.

5. Do the people in your family tend to follow a particular career path, and if so what's the path?
Apparently the medical profession...my mother and aunt are retired histotechs, I work in pathology as well, and my sister is an oncology nurse.

6. What is one thing you absolutely, positively must accomplish today?
The last square inch (literally) of my Pea cross stitch.

7. This Christmas I hope___________________________________.
It's over and done with quickly.

8. Insert your own random thought here.
I'm really looking forward to starting new cross stitch projects...2015 will be the year of the stitch!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Besides U.S. Thanksgiving, it's also National Game and Puzzle Week...what game have you played most recently, and who were you with? Have you worked a puzzle of any kind in the past week?
I definitely do NOT like playing games with others...I'm way too competitive and I do NOT like to lose (I'm the kid who used to memorize all the Trivial Pursuit cards). But I play Sudoku a lot and have done so in the past week. I'm also extremely addicted to games on my phone (mostly Disney ones) and that occurs on a daily basis.

2. What is one place you were thankful for this year?
This might be the most surprising answer I have ever given...one that NO ONE could EVER guess...Disney World!

3. Take a nap, watch football, go for an after dinner walk, or hit the stores...which ONE is on your must-do list for Thanksgiving day? For those of you playing along who aren't in the US, answer as it relates to any big holiday meal.
None...I fully plan to spend the day cross stitching at home alone avoiding family, not eating Thanksgiving food, and not even scanning past a football channel at all costs. Matter of fact, knowing that football will probably be on every channel is less motivation for me to kick my Veronica Mars habit.

4. Besides Thanksgiving, what's your favorite home cooked meal?
Considering I hate Thanksgiving food, I have to say steaks or ribs (only because they have a grill and I don't), but my mother does make a mean veggie beef soup (although I always have to add extra tomatoes and corn).

5. What product from an infomercial would you most like to own?
I try extraordinarily hard to not watch infomercials in any capacity (or commercials in general for that matter)...it's why God invented DVRs. Before their invention, I would leave the room or just turn the channel during commercials and isn't infomercials just a very long commercial? And don't even get me started on shopping channels. My Sister was always the one glued to the tele when a commercial would come on, definitely NOT me. But it's peaked my curiosity as to whether or not she watches them, so I'll have to ask her.

6. Christmas shopping? Have you begun? Finished? Will you shop on Black Friday? How do you feel about stores opening on Thanksgiving Day? What percentage of your Christmas shopping is done online?
Christmas shopping ended for me two years ago, but I always did 99.9% of it online. There is no way in Hades you could even pay me to go anywhere near particular stores starting this week all the way through the first of the year...people are insane lunatics and I want no part of it all!! When my mother worked full-time, she had a Christmas Club put aside for me to afford to buy Christmas presents for people. Now that she is retired, the money is no longer there for me, so that's my excuse...I can't afford it. Besides, most all my family have money, and I could never measure up to their gift giving anyway.

7. What are you most grateful for that adds beauty to your everyday life?
That's a tough one...I don't live in a nice home, I'm not particularly attractive, I don't work with nice people, I'm not surrounded by the love of my family, so I'm gonna have to be superficial and say my VIB Rouge Card from Sephora...nothing says beauty like a Naked pallet from Urban Decay and pretty much anything Kat Von D!

8. Insert your own random thought here.
Sorry, this one was a bit on the bitchy side. This time of year makes me extremely grumpy, but not for the reasons it does most singletons...most people are lonely this time of year, I can't get left alone enough! It makes me grumpy because I'm expected to participate and I'm constantly either ridiculed or pitied because I won't. Even as a child, when Christmas was supposed to be this magical event, it was always a stressful, horrible time for me and I'm extremely grateful that I'm at an age now where I can choose to opt out. My grumpiness comes from everyone else's inability to accept this. I've had numerous comments directed towards me about Thanksgiving this week already and it will be worse by Christmastime.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. What's something you take for granted, that when you stop and think about it you feel truly grateful for?
I complain a lot about being poor and living in a trailer...but when I stop to think about it, I have a very comfortable house with everything I could possibly need and I don't really want for any necessities, so I really have nothing to complain about.

2. The color brown-love it or no? What's your favorite shade of brown? Most loved something in your home or closet in a shade of brown?
Not a brown fan, but if I had to choose, I'd lean more towards the beige side...more of a blue-based brown than a red-based or yellow-based one. Back in the day, when I was in art school, my graphic design prof made us spend an entire week mixing paint until we had what we considered the perfect "beige" and the perfect "tan". Yeah, not a good way to keep a color in your good graces.

3. What's something you're looking forward to today?
Going home and cross stitching.

4. The word 'feminism' is not new, but it has been generating all kinds of headlines in recent days and months. What do you think/feel when you hear the word? If you're a woman, do you want to be described as a feminist? Why or why not?
When I was younger, I would have always described myself as a feminist. But the older I get, and the more I see how the world is changing, the more I realize that I'm very old fashioned and I'm definitely not a feminist. The best example I can give is the latest batch of Disney movies and how everyone "loves" the fact that the women in the stories don't need to be saved by men and can take care of themselves and "yea" what a positive influence that is for little girls. I prefer to be saved by the valiant knight on the white horse, thank you very much and I definitely prefer my escapism to reflect that. I don't need reiteration about how "independent" I am and how I don't "need" a man, but that doesn't keep me from wanting to see the proverbial Disney happy ending. And I've noticed the shift in guys too...they don't need to be chivalrous anymore, so they aren't. I prefer them chivalrous. I'll take a Darcy/Wentworth anyday over me being independent. Men will probably always make more than women for the same work, I wouldn't mind it so much if I had a man's salary contributing to my household income!

5. What's something you personally can't eat without making a mess?
McRib...but really, can anyone eat one without making a mess?

6. When did you last surprise someone with a little gift or when were you last surprised by someone with a little gift? What was it?
I don't like surprises, therefore, I don't like to give surprises.

7. Share a favorite quote, saying, song lyric or scripture relating to gratitude.

Been looking for an excuse to post the new Take That video anyway, but kind of sums up the whole living in the moment and being grateful for what you have theme. And I'm ALWAYS grateful to see Howard without his shirt on!

8. Insert your own random thought here.
Why is it that things that are bad for you taste so good and things that are good for you typically taste bad? This diet would be far easier to get back on if I enjoyed eating healthy. I don't. I want pizza, cookie dough and icing, and coke zero and nerds constantly and I'm miserable because I can't have them and I'm miserable when I do have them because I feel guilty. Is it really worth it?

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. We celebrate Veteran's Day in the US of A on November 11th. When did you last interact with a member of the armed forces (either currently serving or retired)? Have you ever written a letter to a soldier, bought a meal or coffee for a solider, said an unprompted thank you to a soldier you encountered out and about somewhere? If you're not in the US, comment on a similar holiday in your own country.
I work with a few veterans and have numerous family members who are, so I'm around them all the time. I've found that the ones I'm around tend to not like it brought up, so I don't.

2. You can have fifty pounds of anything at all (except money)...what would you choose?
Disney merchandise.

3. When did you last receive an invitation in the 'real' mail? What was it for and did you attend? When it comes to RSVP-ing, are you an 'early responder' or a 'last minute, barely-under-the-wire' kind of guest?
I don't remember, but I rarely ever attend events, so that's probably why I don't get invites.

4. What's something you really don't like to waste?
Food, but I think that's a pre-programmed tick more than a waste thing...the whole "clean your plate club" mentality and all.

5. Cheers, Friends, MASH, Seinfeld...of the ones listed, your favorite long-running sitcom?
None, but if I have to choose, then I choose the Cheers spin-off, Wings...my most-favorite American show ever.

6. What decision are you glad you made?
To get divorced and to stay that way.

7. In this month of 'Thanksgiving' what is one thing that's different today than it was a year ago that you're grateful for?
Nothing is really different, so I'm guess I'm grateful for that...it could be worse!

8. Insert your own random thought here.
I'd much rather be home stitching and watching Veronica Mars (third viewing of the series in two weeks, FYI...I must force myself to stop watching it!).

Wednesday Hodgepodge

Been a while since I've done this, but I guess it's time to get back into normal routines!

1. What's your favorite time of day? Why?
Definitely night time! I am NOT a morning person and the more the day goes on, the more alive I become (and the harder it gets for me to sleep).

2. Waffle iron, toaster, coffee maker, mixer, blender...which small appliance would you say most needs replacing in your house?
Never had a waffle iron, rarely use the mixer or blender, and can't stand the smell of coffee, so no coffee maker. The toaster is all that is left! It's pretty old and ugly anyway and cheap enough to easily replace (but I don't because it never really gets used either).

3. It's National Grouch Day (October 15)...what's something that makes you feel grouchy?
Dealing with people.

4. Ever been to Canada? Is that a country you'd like to visit? According to Trip Advisor, the top ten best destinations in Canada are-Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, Quebec City, Victoria, Calgary, Niagara on the Lake, Niagara Falls, Whistler, and Halifax. Which city would you most like to see?
I've been to Niagara Falls and around St. Catharine's many years ago, but I would like to go back some day. The Canadian side of Niagara is so much prettier than the American side (which looks like kitsch came to visit and never left). There are other places in Canada I'd like to see, but for now, I'll settle with the Canadian Pavilion at Epcot.

5. What was your favorite food (or one of your favorites) when you were a child? Is that still a favorite?
Pizza and Salsa (although not together) and since I never change, they will always be my favorites.

6. Do you cry easily?
No.

7. Have you started your (gasp!) Christmas shopping? If so when, and how much? If not, when will you even begin thinking about it?
Christmas no longer exists in my world (as far as I'm concerned)...that's my story and I'm sticking to it. I managed to succeed last year for the first time, so hopefully this year will be as quiet. It was always extremely stressful fighting crowds, buying presents, hoping you got the right thing for the right person and hoping they will like it. There is nothing worse than opening presents in front of others, having them stare at you with the same questions and expecting certain reactions out of you. I never liked Christmas food and it saves my mother the trouble of cooking turkey and ham. Then there is the fact you have to get up early so that you have time to load the car and drive to the town where your family live, so good riddance I say!

8. Insert your own random thought here.
How can such a wonderful place like Disney World make you feel so good while you are there and so crappy when you come back?

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. What would you say is the key to success?
Money...of which I have none! You need money for education, money to start businesses, money to dress for success...yep, I'll say money. I'd also have to say drive, but I don't really have that. I don't want to be successful, just happy, healthy, and "comfortable" enough to keep myself in Disneydom. Some people are career people and some are job people...I'm a job people. Success is the least of my goals in life, but I wouldn't mind being extremely wealthy!

2. Have you ever been to the Florida Keys? Any desire to visit that part of the US of A?
Yes and I would happily go back! I didn't care for Key West (too darn haunted), but I LOVED Key Largo. That nine mile bridge (or whatever it's called) was seriously scary, but cool. Miami, on the other hand, is the last place I would ever want to go again. Definitely NOT my cup of tea.

3. When and where did you last see a real live donkey? Monkey? Turkey?
Probably in a zoo when I was young. I try to avoid all animals other than dogs!

4. An old Portuguese proverb says, 'Beware of the door with too many keys.' What do you think this means? Share an example of how this has proven true or false in your own life.
It could mean all kinds of things...don't spread yourself too thin by having too many people with access to you; don't go into situations where it's wide open for someone else to come in as well; don't give up control to too many people, etc. But I kind of disagree with some of those. I prefer to have different options to approach situations (as long as I control all the keys and none of the doors are my personal ones because I'm locked down like Fort Knox!). So doors can have too many keys, as long as they aren't my personal doors!

5. Besides your home, vehicle, and special jewelry, what is something you keep under lock and key?
Everything pretty much...I'm pretty particular about my stuff.

6. When did you last get keyed up about something?
Today...I'm supposed to be covering for a co-worker, but everyone is bothering me about other stuff and it's annoying!

7. Who thinks we need an easy one right about now? Key lime pie...yes please or no thank you?
Yes, if it's actually made with key limes and yes if it doesn't have a graham cracker crust...otherwise, no thank you!

8. Insert your own random thought here.
Exciting news! My friend Kate is coming early so we can extend our Disney trip! Look out Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party...you are getting us TWICE!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

Woopsie! Must have forgotten last week's podge...oh well, on with this one!

1. "Summer is like childhood. It's full of warm memories and gone too soon."~Kellie Elmore Agree or disagree? Share something you loved about the summers of your childhood.
Disagree. I was a miserable child. Aspergers and the 70's/80's didn't mix well (although I didn't know that's what it was then). The only thing I miss about my childhood is spending hours swimming in the backyard. I haven't been in a pool in 25 years or more and I'm a water baby by nature.

2. Are you a fan of auto racing-NASCAR, Indy, Stock, Grand Prix, etc? Ever been to a race in person? Any desire to do this? Do you know a lot about cars? Do you notice particular makes and models when you're out and about?
No, No, No, No, and No! Living in the South, all anyone talks about is cars and Nascar (and hunting). I just don't get it. I love my Nissan Rogue, but it's only purpose is to make me comfortable while getting from one location to another.

3. What's something you think is too serious to be joked about? Or do you think anything and everything is fair game?
I think this whole "PC" movement is the worst thing to ever happen to society. I really only get offended if someone is making fun of me personally and then only if it's meant to be hateful and not funny. I don't joke much myself and don't laugh much anyway. Besides, I was picked on heavily as a child, so I've got the skin of a rhino. The stink caused by Jason Biggs' tweet after the Malaysian crash wouldn't have happened 20 years ago. I didn't think it was that offensive, but neither did I think it was funny. It was just a case of poor taste and bad timing on his part and aren't jokes all about the timing? Plus, I grew up in an age where comedians like Whoopi and Robin Williams and Bobcat Goldthwaite were on the scene...need I say more? Well, I'm gonna.

I always think of the South Park Christmas episode (which, just the fact that I watch South Park, defines my sense of humor) where all the parents were screaming about certain aspects of the children's Christmas pageant being offensive to their beliefs. In the end, the kids were all wearing gray jumpsuits, spinning in circles, going "beep boop" over and over again. When the parents kicked up a stink about it because it wasn't "Christmas-y", Mr. Garrison told them, "well, you made me remove everything offensive and this was all that was left!". Political Correctness sucks. Guaranteed I've probably offended SOMEONE with that answer, but oh well.

4. July 29th is National Lasagna Day. Are you a fan? Do you have a great recipe, and if so where did it come from? If given a choice would you choose a plate of lasagna or a plate of spaghetti?
I do like lasagna, but I have to be in the mood for it (and my diet won't allow it, so I haven't had it in a while and, since it uses the same sauce as spaghetti, you'll have that answer in a minute). I prefer to make it myself because no one EVER puts enough cheese in it for me! I kind of prefer the Stouffer's kind to homemade anyway (as long as extra cheese is added to it). Spaghetti was my mother's "go to" dish when she was in a hurry, so we ate a LOT of it. Now, I might have it every other year or so and only if I'm in the mood.

5. What's a simple pleasure you'd miss if it were not a regular part of your life?
Disney! That one was easy!

6. If you could be the CEO of any company, which would you choose?
I wouldn't. I would much prefer to be independently wealthy enough not to have to work.

7. August is just around the bend...bid farewell to July in exactly seven words.
Come back! I need more Disney money!

8. Insert your own random thought here.
Don't have any today actually.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

Forgive me, I'm very one-track minded at the moment!

1. The month of July was named for Roman Emperor Julius Caesar. He's quoted as saying, 'Experience is the teacher of all things." So what has experience taught you lately?
Experience is the best teacher of how to do a Disney trip right.

2. Where did you last 'roam'?
Last October when I went to Disney World...I took the long way there through Tennessee and the long way back through Mississippi. Sure, it added three+ hours each way, but much more enjoyable and gave me excellent "prep" time for a solo trip! But I haven't been a roamer in years...I used to drive all over the place, especially late at night. It's just not feasible to do that now (and I'm too chicken). Now I go to and from work the same way every single day and rarely anywhere else.

3. Speaking of 'Rome'...pizza, pasta, gelato...you can only pick one, which would you choose?
Pizza, in a heartbeat...I would have it right this second if I could!

4. 'Rome wasn't built in a day', 'All roads lead to Rome', 'When in Rome...' which 'Roman' idiom have you most recently encountered? Explain.
'All roads lead to Rome'...everything I do aims me towards Disney World.

5. What's a movie you've seen or a book you've read, that makes you want to book a trip to Italy?
I've never wanted to go to Italy (unless it's in Epcot at Disney World).

6. Walt's original Disneyland opened almost sixty years ago, on July 17, 1955 Have you ever been to the California park? How about any of the other Disney parks around the world? What's your favorite amusement park ride or attraction?
We're going to Disneyland next year for the first time, but I don't really think I need to answer the second part of that, HA! But definitely, without a doubt, the Haunted Mansion! It may be cheesy, but it's filled with some of the most creative and imaginative work from the best of the Disney artists like Marc Davis, Claude Coates, Yale Gracey, Leota Toombs, Harriet Burns, and Rolly Crump. I could ride it a million times and still stroll out happily singing the song (and it's the ringtone I use for my sister).

7. It's that time of year...when were you last bitten or stung?
I don't go outside much, so I don't remember. We're in the heart of mosquito country, so I've probably definitely been bitten and not known it, I still have the brown recluse bite scar from when I was 10 (which was probably around the same time as the first and only time I was stung by a bee).

8. Insert your own random thought here.
Right now, there is nothing random about my thoughts...they are completely organized and singularly focused on one subject. But, I do need to send a shout out to my friend Kate who is in the hospital for a couple of days for a tissue infection. Get well Kate! We've got Disney World ahead of us!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. July is National Anti-Boredom Month. When was the last time you were bored? What's your go-to cure for boredom?
I'm typically always bored by nature and I'm always doing "projects" to cure said boredom. My mind runs 24/7 so I have to do things to slow it down like cross-stitch or go frame by frame in Google Street View mapping Disney routes.

2. What's the last thing you made a reservation for?
Dining ressies at Disney World. They've changed a couple of times.

3. What's one thing on your summer 'bucket list'? Any plans to make it happen?
Get my house ready for Kate to come visit...cleaning, fixing, straightening, more cleaning.

4. What's your favorite summertime sip?
The same as any other time...tea or Coke Zero.

5. What do you find is the best way to handle another person's hostility and hopefully ease the tension?
It's usually me being hostile and I just have to talk myself down from it...no one else can.

6. Your favorite film set in summer?
I don't know that I've ever been hyper-aware of the seasons in movies, but the first one that came to mind was Teen Beach Movie (yeah, I'm that big of a Disney freak).

7. What word are you using too much lately?
Disney, if it hasn't be obvious enough.

8. Insert your own random thought here.
These were definitely short-answer questions this week, but I do love doing them!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Speaking of 180...when was the last time you 'did a 180' on something?
I can count on one hand how many times I have ever done a 180...it's just not in my nature, so therefore, I can't remember the last time I did one. My opinion is often very set in stone and rarely ever changes.

2. It's Independence Week in the US of A! What's your favorite thing about America right this very minute? Favorites only! Let's hear what you love about America.
I love the fact that we have not one, but two different Disney locations.

3. Stars or stripes? Red, white, or blue? Watermelon, homemade vanilla ice cream, or blueberry pie?
I thought apple pie was American? (I can't stand cooked apples anyway, so thanks for not mentioning it because this would have been a complete "no-go" list), but I will go with the blueberry pie. I'm not a fan of ice cream, HATE watermelon, and my favorite colors are purple, black, and gray.

4. When did you last see stars, figuratively speaking?
About once or twice a week when I have a headache...little tiny pin-pricks of light twinkling in the darkness of my closed eyelids. It sucks.

5. 'Clear as a bell', 'with bells on', 'lots of bells and whistles', 'saved by the bell'...which phrase 'rings' truest for you lately? Have you ever seen The Liberty Bell?
'with bells on' - for Disney (yes, I have a one track mind). I have seen both the real Liberty Bell (my Mother's family is from Pennsylvania so I've been there a few times) and the replica (numerous times) at Disney World (and in various states...each state has one). The replica at Disney World (as well as each state) are the only official replicas sanctioned by the government...bit of Disney trivia for ya.

6. Are you caught up in World Cup fever? Have you watched a lot or a little or none at all?
Once England was out, I was done.

7. Bid farewell to June in 10 words or less.
You were just another stepping stone to WDW, good riddance!

8. Insert your own random thought here.
The 4th of July is my Grandmother's birthday, so Happy Birthday to her!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. What summer activity most takes you back to your own childhood?
Swimming. We always had a pool growing up at my parents house. I haven't been swimming since I moved out, but I do miss it.

2. What's your favorite summer smell?
Chlorine. Nothing like the smell of a clean pool to make me think of summer! Worst summer smell would be lake or river water. I HATE swimming somewhere where creatures live and I can't see my feet (although the ocean is the exception...LOVE the smell of the salt water).

3. It's beach season in the US of A...so how do you feel about sand?
Love it in theory, but I absolutely cannot STAND the feeling of it swishing between my toes, getting in my shoes, etc. Gives me the utter willies!

4. Sun tea, SunChips, sunflower seeds, Capri Sun, Sunny Delight, Sun-Maid raisins, sun-dried tomatoes...your favorite food or beverage with sun in its name?
Probably Sun Tea, although I haven't had it since I was a kid.

5. What's your favorite way to cool off on a hot summer day?
I don't get hot and I prefer the heat, it's just the sun in my eyes I don't like. I used to be a solar baby, now I rarely ever get out. I miss that sometimes.

6. Share a favorite song with the word sun or sunshine in it's title.
Reach Up (for the Sunrise) - Duran Duran (of course!) and one of their best live songs!


7. Tell us about a time you had an exceedingly good or truly awful customer service experience. If it was awful, did you report it? Ever go back there again?
Best and worst have always been Disney World (and of course I would go back again). Depending on the situation, you always have the power to turn it around. For example, get a grumpy Cast Member? Make a point to ask how their day is going or to be extra nice when they are not. Southern charm goes a long way! Worse comes to worse, I like to say, "sorry you're having a bad day" and that usually stops them in their tracks and they start to do a 360.

But there have been occasions where nothing could be done. In 1999, when I was at my social phobia worst, I forgot to get my hand stamped coming out of Epcot (the way they used to handle park hopping) and, when I tried to get into Magic Kingdom, the old man at the gate threw a fit and was actually yelling at me! I started crying and having a panic attack (because that's what socially inept people do), but the dude kept yelling at me until finally, a very young CM came over, told him to get over it, apologized profusely, and let me through. I could still hear that grumpy old fart complaining at the kid about "stupid guests not following the rules" all the way inside. Took me HOURS to calm down enough. I've never forgotten either of them.

Then, there was the time on Spaceship Earth in 2006 when a very grumpy CM was waving me forward to step on the moving platform (and I HATE those things...terrified I'm going to fall). There was no one in front of me and no one behind me (one of those rare occasions when you get to ride all on your own). I started to step on the bloody thing (as she was instructing me) and she starts stampeding at me (for lack of a better term, but that's pretty much what it was like), waving her arms, and yelling at me to get back and was I stupid and couldn't I understand English. I kid you not. I was miserable that entire ride and certainly didn't enjoy it. That was the only time I ever went to guest services and complained about a Cast Member and I did so the second I walked off that ride.

There used to be a particularly rude jerk that worked at the hat embroidery stand in the back of the Disney Days of Christmas store. He was rude, hateful, and constantly complained about his job. My sister complained about him two years in a row. We haven't seen him since.

I have never encountered a nice CM in either Morocco or Mexico in Epcot (and Morocco is my favorite Pavilion). Not sure why that is. The UK, Canada, Japan, and China have the nicest (with Canada being above and beyond nice). Norway, France, Germany, Italy, and the American Adventure are hit and miss sometimes. Considering that those CM's are from those host countries, I don't know if it's a cultural thing (considering I've never been to any of those but Canada and Mexico). I just know to not ask questions or interact with anyone in either Morocco or Mexico (and it's kept me from buying stuff in either country because I didn't want to interact with them since I didn't want to have a bad reaction).

But for every one bad CM, I can count literally dozens of good ones. Most of them work there because they enjoy it, but there is the odd one that is there just to have a job and could care less. Considering Disney's rigorous training program, I'm not sure how those people sneak through. Granted, Disney pays squat, but that usually means you'd have to love it to work there because you aren't gonna survive on that kind of salary (although, given the chance, I'd like to try - behind the scenes, of course, I wouldn't be good in customer service either) or you are desperate for a job. In either case, you'd still have to have a certain "Disney-esque" personality to survive.

8. Insert your own random thought here.
I skipped last week's Hodgepodge due to the overabundance of Father's Day questions (considering my Father's Day rant, I didn't feel it would be appropriate)...sorry guys!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. I've read several posts and status updates recently describing end of year school field trips. Do you remember taking school field trips as a kid? Where did you go and do you recall a favorite? For any parents responding today, have you ever chaperoned a school field trip, and if so where?
We always went to the same places every year, but I don't remember in which order we went. I do remember that we went to the MidSouth Fair and Libertyland in Memphis during September (because the fair is around/on my birthday), then we went to the zoo and the Pink Palace at some point. Later in years we started going to Mud Island toward the end of school year. But, and I think it was my junior year, we had a bunch of idiots who didn't show back up to the bus at the MidSouth Fair and the teacher who was chaperoning (don't remember who, but do remember it was a guy), left them after we waited for an hour. There wasn't many/any school trips after that episode.

2. What's something you're tired of seeing online?
THE KARDASHIANS! Need I say more?

3. June is the month for roses. Which of the following expressions would you say has most recently applied to your life-'everything's coming up roses', 'there's no rose without a thorn', 'came out smelling like a rose', or 'wearing rose-colored glasses'?
I always 'wear rose-colored glasses' during Disney planning! Even the crappiest work day has a "Disney moment" in it!

4. When grilling outdoors do you prefer gas or charcoal? Who does the grilling at your house? What's the last thing you ate that was cooked on a grill?
Charcoal. I don't like that gas flavor. It's been forever since I had grilled anything, but I never do it at my house...it's something done at my parents and it's usually steak (bleedin but not mooin) or ribs (we are Southern, after all!).

5. Are you afraid of the dark?
Terrified and I still can't sleep in utter darkness.

6. Share a favorite song with a number in it's title.
The very first one that came to mind was The Seventh Stranger by Duran Duran (and you'll notice a very very young (and not nearly as thin) Jennifer Connelly as the girl in the wings)


7. "Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves."(C.G. Jung). Do you agree? Why or why not?
Completely disagree...the only thing that others' irritations cause me to do is magnify them exponentially and find the person even more irritating! I couldn't reflect on myself in a moment like that!

8. Insert your own random thought here.
For the first time ever, I actually did this post the night before! Go me!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. What news story are you following right now?
The only news stories I really follow (besides the tech/HIPAA stuff I have to for work) is Disney news stories and today is the opening day to the new Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Coaster in New Fantasyland! Exciting stuff!

2. What's the last thing you wanted but didn't get?
I always want and rarely get...but I'd have to say I've been dying for a hamburger, but diet cheat day isn't until tomorrow afternoon.

3. May 28th is National Hamburger Day...when did you last have a hamburger? Other than your own kitchen or BBQ grill, where is your favorite place to go for a hamburger? And for all you non-meat eaters out there...when you're invited to a cookout what is the one side dish you hope is on the menu? HA! I didn't even read this one before posting the last one! The ultimate favorite hamburger place is Red Robin, but we don't have one of those here (closest one is in Memphis). Sonic is the best I can do and I had one last week (on cheat day).

4. How have your priorities changed over time?
I've come to realize that it is no longer important for me to appear "normal" to the world. I am what I am in all my Asperger glory, and, if you don't like it, you can just go away. I don't need anyone else's approval or disapproval of my behavior or actions. That's huge considering my young life was spent trying to make everyone else feel comfortable around my weirdness (because, no matter how hard I try, I can't hide it).

5. What's a favorite memory with your grandparents? I don't have many, but I can remember when my Dad's parents would come pick me up for a visit (because it "hurt" my Dad too much to see me, yeah, I don't get it either) and Nannie would bring homemade pumpkin bread (which I typically hate, but I loved hers) and Papa and I would put puzzles together for hours. They had a whole collection of Dr. Seuss books and I'd read them over and over. Those were good times. Then I'd have to go back home again and be miserable. Papa died when I was 10 and Nannie and I were on the outs when she died a few years ago.

6. On a scale of 1-10 (with 10 being fantastic!), how good are you at multitasking? Share an example.
I can get the work done in multi-form, but there is a lot of complaining along the way. Can't think of an example. I like to be 100% focused on one thing at a time, then move on to the next. If I get interrupted in that process, I get grumpy (to say the least). My co-workers disagree and say that I'm a master at multitasking, but it's all smoke and mirrors I think.

7. How would you summarize your highs and lows for the month of May? It's been pretty steady so far, but there are still a couple of days left for the bottom to fall out! Let's not jinx it, shall we? High would be finishing December's Disney pictures and DVD, lows would be an abnormally large number of headaches this month.

8. Insert your own random thought here.
I think I'm losing my stitching mojo. I tried to stitch last night, but I have Disney pictures on the brain. I haven't wanted to touch those stupid pictures for months, and now, they are all I want to do...I keep thinking about redoing them all (and there are 41,000 edited photos of Disney trips on my computer now - if I go back to the originals and re-edit, there could be more. I think it's just because my post-Disney depression has died off since I'm now planning a trip!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

I almost completely forgot! It's been a crazy day.

1. Under what circumstances do you do your best thinking?
When I'm left alone.

2. Are you a risk taker? What's one big risk you've taken?
No and I don't unless forced. I'd probably say the biggest risk was going to Disney World alone for the first time.

3. Some of the most common phobias according to the National Institute for Mental Health are-fear of spiders (arachnaphobia), snakes (ophidiophobia), heights (acrophobia), fear of spaces from which escape is difficult (agoraphobia), fear of thunder and lightening (astrophobia), fear of dogs (cynophobia), injections (trypanophobia), social situations, flying (pteromerhanophobia) and fear of germs and dirt (mysophobia). True phobias affect only about 10% of adults, but of those listed which would you rate as your greatest fear?
I have Social Anxiety Disorder, OCD, and Aspergers...I am a walking poster child for social phobia. But I'm also completely terrified of spiders and bugs (especially ladybugs, but have thousands fall on your head and see how you feel about them), trees and forests, yellow candy, airport security, Subway restaurants (but there is a personal reason for that), and numerous other silly things.

4. Are you settled or do you feel the need to move somewhere new?
I've love to move to Florida, but see #3 above...it keeps me locked into my same situation thus making it impossible for me to move.

5. What is something you find annoying when dining in a restaurant?
Being bugged too much or too little by waitstaff, people not controlling their children who are running wild in the restaurant, cold food.

6. Daffodil yellow, sunset orange, spring green, or sky blue...your favorite color this time of year?
None of the above...purple, same as every other time of year.

7. If you were going to take a holiday all by yourself, where would you go?
Disney World...silly question! I can go to Disney World by myself, but I can't Wal-Mart..go figure!

8. Insert your own random thought here.
I'm almost finished with our Disney picture DVD! It's taking four discs for each set (and there are four sets) and I've had to throw away 22 discs that failed. By the time I get finished, I will have completely depleted my blank DVD cache.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

I almost completely forgot about the Hodgepodge today. It's been a very stressful day and my mind has been elsewhere, but better late than never!

1. It's still May, right? When were you last in the middle of something that might be described as mayhem? Today, trying to book a rushed Disney trip.

2. When did you last feel dismayed? Today, trying to book a rushed Disney trip without any money.

3. What's a food combination you like, but other people may find strange? Cookie dough and whipped buttercream icing...it's all I have been craving since I started this diet (and have indulged in more than once).

4. "It is never too late to be what you might have been." Do you think that's true? Why or why not? Yes and no. Everything happens for a reason and if you might have been something else, something will eventually happen to push you in that direction. If not, maybe you were never meant to go that route.

5. US News and World Report listed the best historic destinations in the US as follows-Washington D.C, Philadelphia PA, Williamsburg VA, Charleston SC, Boston MA, Richmnd VA, Savannah, GA, Santa Fe NM, Yellowstone, San Antonio TX, San Francisco CA, New Orleans LA, and Charlottesville VA.

Of those listed how many have you seen in person? Which two sites on the list would you most like to see in person?
Been to DC, Philly, Williamsburg, Charleston, Boston, Richmond, Savannah, San Antonio, New Orleans, and Charleston. I would love to go to Yellowstone, but Cali has never had any appeal for me (except for one day going to Disneyland, but that's not in San Fran). Most of those cities have serious "ghost vibe" issues and I would probably only go to Charleston (because a co-worker is moving there and I might need to visit her) or Williamsburg (because it's one of the coolest Busch Gardens I've ever been to).

6. May is National Physical Fitness and Sports Month. If you had to participate in a single fitness activity for the next half hour, which activity would you choose? Do I have to? 600 calories a day doesn't really grant one the ability to exercise for that long...I don't have the stamina.

7. What did you like best about the city, town, or neighborhood where you grew up? I hated it more than life itself growing up, but now I'd like to go back because it's a much safer town than where I am now. Cost of living is lower, and it's a 15 minute commute to my job which is in my current city (and it takes me the exact same amount of time to get across this town...if traffic is bad, it takes longer).

8. Insert your own random thought here.
My mind is completely filled with Disney right now. I can't feel my face because my headache is so bad, but I am determined to make a schedule work before the night is over with so we can book dining ressies.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

This one is not going to be an easy one, considering the theme, but I'll try not to be too awful and inconsiderate, but it is nice to be in a normal routine again!

1. Share something you appreciate (or something you appreciated as you were growing up) about your mother.
I have a hard relationship with my Mother. She's only become a typical "good" mother after I was grown and gone. Too little too late I guess. There are some serious, deep-rooted issues between us (that I'm not quite yet willing to discuss in blog form) and I'll leave it at that. If I wanted to put a positive spin on it, my sister had a great life because I was her "test dummy" and she was protected from everything that I was exposed to, so I guess I can appreciate that she didn't have to go through what I did. I guess I should also appreciate the fact that Mother did keep a roof over my head, food in my belly, and clothes on my back. That's more than some people grow up with. There is just no emotional appreciation (is that a better way to say it?).

2. A quote most commonly ascribed to Plato reads "Necessity is the mother of invention." When did this last play out in your own experience?
Just this week, in fact! I NEED to go to Disney World, therefore, I have found a way despite utter poverty and debt!

3. Share one of the earliest memories you have from childhood.
When my parents were still married (to each other), our car broke down (it was red, but I don't remember the model). We had to walk home on the rail tracks and I was too small, so my Dad put me up on his shoulders and we walked down the tracks together, them arguing the entire time, but me having a blast because I was riding on my Daddy's shoulders! I remember every moment of that ride and I had to be no more than 2 or 3. Memories got bad and unforgettable after that, so we won't go there.

4. When did you last 'hit the mother lode'? What was it?
I hit the mother lode every time I go to Disney...my house is proof! Disney stuff EVERYWHERE! The only catch is my credit cards are all charged up and I'm broke (but I do get to go home every night and look at my "stuff", so it ain't all bad!).

5. What is/was your favorite dish mom made? Do you make that dish for your family/friends now that you're all grown up?
My Mother didn't make special dishes, it was all about the Hamburger Helper, spaghetti, and fried chicken (and the occasional torture of liver). She did make that nasty meat, green bean, potato, cheese layered casserole that still gags me to even think about it! Those items are fine separate, but definitely not mixed up together (and not even cheese could save it!). I don't cook much (although I can), but no, my tastes are completely different to my Mothers. My sister would say her mashed potatoes but I actually prefer them from a box than real (told you I was weird!).

6. Mother May I? was at one time a popular children's game. It required no equipment or parts to play. What was your favorite childhood game where you could just turn up and play-no gear needed?
I didn't really play childhood games. We weren't really allowed to behave like children (which is why I overcompensate now). I spent a lot of time reading or drawing.

7. Which TV mom (past or present) is your favorite, and why?
I don't know that I really notice that kind of thing. I never really looked at another Mother, real or televised, and wished mine was more like them, I just didn't think about it. My mind was always focused on whatever I was obsessed with at the time. Family was the least of my worries.

8. Insert your own random thought here.
I want to go home and go back to bed. My head hurts.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

It's that time again for the Hodgepodge! I'm not really sure how this will work out during the April A to Z Blogging Challenge, but only time will tell.

1. March is known as the windy month. Which of the following phrases best fits your March so far...'throw caution to the wind', 'three sheets to the wind', 'run like the wind', or 'see which way the wind blows'?
How 'bout 'the winds they are a'foul'? That better suits my March! This year has got to be better soon!

2. Your favorite green food? Your favorite dish made with your favorite green food?
Spinach. I could eat spinach in varying forms every single day of my life (and it's probably one of the only vegetables I actually do like). My favorite way to eat it though is raw as a salad base with cheddar cheese, grilled chicken and whatever salad dressing I'm favoring at the moment. I also love it in alfredo, but I think my pasta days are over now (thanks to my stupid diet).

3. Ever been locked out of your home-car-office-anywhere? Do tell!
Locked out...no...couldn't get in? Yes! The ice storm before last I went outside to de-ice my vehicle and, when I tried to get back in the house, realized that the screen door handle was frozen solid and I couldn't push the button to open it. Luckily I had my cell on me (but unluckily, my aunt - who just lives a few blocks away - took too long to get here). In the end, crackhead neighbor heard me cussing and banging and came outside to help (wearing nothing but pants...no shoes, no shirt, with two inches of ice on the ground) and I was eventually able to get in.

On the opposite side of that, last ice storm I was stuck in the house because there was a foot of ice blocking the door and it wouldn't open. I had to be dug out from the outside by a co-worker (and crackhead neighbor again...dude is everywhere!!). Good thing there wasn't a fire, I would have burned alive (but then again, I probably would do that anyway trying to save my Disney stuff).

4. Yoda, Kermit, Shrek, The Wicked Witch of the West, Oscar the Grouch, The Grinch, or Mike Wasowski (Monsters Inc.)...of the green characters listed, which one's your favorite and why?
Even though all those characters can be tied to Disney in some way (Yoda - Star Wars now owned by Disney; Shrek has Eddie Murphy, aka Donkey, who was also Mushu in Mulan and in The Haunted Mansion movie; The Wicked Witch is now the lead evil on Once Upon A Time and Walt has owned the rights to the Wizard books for many many years; Oscar is a Henson, which is owned by Disney; The Grinch was sung by Thurl Ravenscroft...a major Disney vocal artist whose voice is heard all over Disney World (Grim Grinning Ghosts anyone?); and Mike is Pixar, again owned by Disney), I'm gonna pick the Disney-est of them all...Kermit! I'm a child of the 70's and grew up watching The Muppet Show. He's not my favorite muppet (that distinction is meant for Gonzo), but he's definitely a strong #2.

5. "The first task of a leader is to keep hope alive."~Joe Batten Do you agree? Why or why not?
I'm not a leader, so I couldn't speak from the standpoint of one, but I think hope is a very personal thing. No one has the power to influence my hope's existence but me, but that could be just my Asper self controlling everything. No one has ever given me hope, or taken it away for that matter...but I have let them, therefore, it's still mine to disperse.

6. Share a favorite song with an emotion in it's title.
I can't think of any of my all-time favorite songs that do actually have an emotion in the title, so I'll have to settle for a song I love (and my current ringtone), Lily Allen's The Fear...specifically the part of "and it doesn't matter 'cause I'm packing plastic and that's what makes my life so f'ing fantastic, I am a weapon of massive consumption, but it's not my fault, it's how I'm programmed to function".

7. What's a road trip you'd like to take?
I would always say Disney World, but I've been itching to go west through the Rockies or Grand Canyon. I've been almost everywhere east, but not so much west. But I've also been craving to go to the Parthenon in Nashville (which is only about four hours away). Heck, now that I'm thinking about it, I've also been dying to go to the cross stitch store in Memphis (about an hour away). But, as far as I know, my next definite road trip will be to the Arkansas Scottish Festival in Batesville (about three hours away) next month.

8. Insert your own random thought here.
If I had a dime for every time I got woken up before the buttcrack of dawn to a stupid computer question whose answer was the old reliable "have you tried turning it off and on again?", I'd be rich (or at least a dime richer today). I am NOT a morning person and your stupid computer problems (that are, 9 times out of 10, your fault anyway) important enough to wake me up!!! Phew! I've been holding that in all morning!!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Thursday marks the first day of spring...to celebrate would you rather plant a garden or go for a walk in the woods? Would either of those activities be possible on Thursday where you live?
I would love to be able to plant a garden, if I had a yard (which I don't), but I am absolutely terrified of masses of trees, so the woods would completely be out of the question!! Besides, this is the South and woods around here mean you would probably get shot by some redneck hillbilly looking for dinner (I kid...sort of). But, in any case, neither would be possible on a Thursday...it's a work day!

2. When did someone last spring something on you? (or when did you last spring something on someone?)
People pretty much know not to spring anything on me (I don't do well under pressure and tend to explode, often very vocally) and I think the "do under others" mantra holds true with this one and I try to not spring on others! I'm the kid who used to open Christmas presents long before Christmas and rewrap them so I would know how to react on the day. As far as springing out at me, I tend to punch first and flinch later, which is why I can't go to haunted houses at Halloween...I'm afraid I'll assault the poor kids hired to scare people!

3. We often think of spring as a time for new beginnings. What's something you'd like to start doing this spring?
I don't like changes in my routine (Asperger's can be a powerful thing). I don't really think of spring as a time for new beginnings...spring is time for that blasted daylight savings time, one of the worst times of the year! I'm more of a summer girl - the hotter, the better! Given the ultimate choice, I'd love to win the lottery and move to Golden Oak and only ever leave my house to go to Disney World...if that can be accomplished by spring, all the better because I'd hate to try to move my record and tape collection across country in a smoldering truck cargo hold.

4. Where do you like to sit in a movie theatre? When did you last sit there, and what were you watching?
About third or fourth row back, directly in the middle. Partly because I'm blind, and partly because the rowdy teenagers typically sit in the back. To tell the truth, I can't remember the last time I went to the movie, but I do know the next time...it will be for Maleficent in May.

5. When you meet someone for the very first time, what do you want them to think about you?
Hopefully, I can walk away from the meeting and be completely forgotten (which usually happens). I don't usually put myself in situations where I meet people anyway.

6. March is frozen food month (yes, really!). Besides ice cream (gotta make you think a little) what's your most often purchased frozen food item?
When I was actually purchasing real food (and not doing my meal replacement diet) I pretty much lived on Lean Cuisines. My freezer would be full of them. I don't eat a lot of ice cream and I usually really have to be in the mood for it.

7. What's something you avoid?
People, places, things...the list of things I DON'T avoid would be much shorter!

8. Insert your own random thought here
I have a headache today and I'm not a happy camper. Ugh.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Do you have an interest in learning about your family's heritage? Why or why not? If you know a little bit about your roots, share an interesting piece of trivia or a fun fact about someone who goes way back on your family tree.
When my Dad and I were on speaking terms, he was more than a bit obsessed with tracing our family tree. He tried numerous times to get me involved, but it's not a "cheap" hobby and I could never get the information he needed. Luckily, we are Scottish, so there are tons of records and he was able to go as far back as the 1600's, but about the only interesting data is that an ancestor was the personal priest to Robert The Bruce. I was able to meet (well, mostly online) most of my Dad's family I never even knew existed.

2. Branch Rickey, the baseball exec credited with signing Jackie Robinson, is quoted as saying-

"Luck is the residue of design."
Agree or disagree? Why?
Agree and Disagree. Yes, some people are designed a certain way that their lives fall into place just perfectly (I'm surely not one of them), but it begs the question, who was in charge of the design in the first place...a higher power or are you the construct of your own design? Then again, my other brain is screaming that luck is nothing but chance and no amount of design can change that. I'm not sure my head could handle going that deeply today!

3. In the town where you currently reside, what's your favorite green space?
I don't have favorite green spaces...I prefer to be indoors as opposed to outdoors (although I guess I could say my carpet at home). But when I was younger and my parents lived in the old house, probably the backyard because we had two privacy fences, one of which was 8ft and I could be alone without the creepy neighbor's kid bothering me. I was one of the few kids that hated recess.

4. Who is your favorite comedian?
Definitely Miranda Hart right now. It's not that she's that funny per se, but I relate to her and her humor more than any other comedian.

5. March is National Nutrition Month, and almost everyone needs to improve their diet in some way. What about you? How can you improve your nutrition on a daily basis? Will you try?
I will continue to do the meal replacement diet I'm on and hope for the best. I'm not sure I will ever be capable of eating like I should, but most days I do OK.

6. Which of these green expressions have you 'experienced' in recent weeks -green with envy, green thumb, green around the gills, or give the green light? Explain.
Probably "green around the gills". A lot of headaches lately.

7. Where is one place you don't mind waiting?
DISNEY WORLD!!! And it definitely is the only place on earth I don't mind waiting in line!

8. Insert your own random thought here.
Here's hoping for a better Needle Club today than last week!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. The expression 'mad as a March hare' originated with a fictional character who is distracted and frantic. When were you last 'mad as a March hare' and what was it that made you that way?
I'm like that every single day, and, if I'm specific, just a couple of minutes ago due to a work-related matter and one of my bosses who seems to not like me (for some reason) at the moment.

2. Mardi Gras this year falls on Tuesday, March 4th. Have you ever been to Mardi Gras, and if so what did you think? If not, do you have any interest in going? Purple, green, and gold are the colors of Mardi Gras. Which one is most prevalent in your wardrobe? How about in your home?
I have only been to New Orleans once and I will never go again. The vibes in that place are akin to those in Gettysburg or Savannah and it's just too much for my sensitive spidey-sense to take!

Purple is my life! My office is filled with it (and after my office flooded, I actually managed to talk them into painting my walls purple), my house is filled with it, so of course my wardrobe is filled with it. I will often buy things just because they are purple! I absolutely hate green (my carpets in my house are green-or used to be-and they make me sick to look at) and gold is too much like yellow, which is the second ugliest color to me (pink being the ugliest). One of the few phobias I have (ok, I have more than a few) is yellow candy. I won't even eat yellow M&M's and I can't really explain why.

3. Are you old fashioned?
Yes and no. In moral turpitude and values, yes...in technology and progress, no.

4. Do you carefully plan your vacations, or do you prefer the days to be more spontaneous?
Seriously? It takes me a year to plan a week in Disney World (a place I've been many times)! Everything has to be mapped out to a tee (although it rarely ever works out that way). I even plan my short "day trips" to an extent!

5. March is National Sauce Month...what's your favorite sauce, and what do you most often top with this sauce?
Being from the South, and more specifically within an hour of Memphis, I probably should say BBQ, but I'd probably have to go with Malt Vinegar. I'd put it on everything if I could!

6. What's something that easily brings a tear to your eye?
Thinking about my passed-on pup Zander or my still very much alive but absent Father.

7. If you could own any sports team, which one would it be and why?
I wouldn't. I can't imagine even in my wildest dreams doing that.

8. Insert your own random thought here.
Today is our work Needle Club day! Woo Hoo! I doubt I will get any work done at all!