Something Funny

Thursday's prompt: Share something funny: a joke, a funny video, a story, whatever makes you laugh.

A friend showed this to me at a meeting (when I supposed to be serious and should have been paying attention to the materials). I couldn't help but laugh and sometimes when I feel overwhelmed I play this so today when I was getting ready to do some household chores that I hate, I played this. Then I was in a pretty good mood to do what I had to do and got them done quickly. I folded 3 loads of wash (I keep putting it off until the laundry basket gets so high the clothes won't even stay in a vertical pile!) and vacuumed my house (I hate having to unplug and plug and put the hose on for tight places and take it off again). So here is a video for your enjoyment (It is pretty short and funny.)


The Broken Escalator

Using My Eyes on the way to The Rock

Wednesday's prompt: Choose one of your senses and use it to describe something you experience today.

I know it is no surprise to my friends but I went hiking today so I will choose my sight and describe what I saw today.

We met our hiking group at the trail head which was nothing more than a pull off on the side of the road with a little sign stating Parking Area. All around us were just bare hard wood trees, pine trees, and some evergreens. When we started, the trail went straight up and full of rocks but since I was cold I didn't mind. I looked all around at the forest that surrounded me and wondered what it would look like in the spring and summer.

When we would get to a level spot we would wait for everyone to catch up. I would look at everyone and see everyone breathing hard. Some people would be sweating and some would be shedding their coats, hats, and sweaters. Everyone had a pack on to carry their lunch and water. Some people were carrying one or two hiking sticks.

A couple of times we had to cross a creek and had to hop across rocks or tree limbs. The water was rushing by and it even looked cold.

When we finally got to "The Rock" which was our goal, we all spread out to eat lunch. This rock face was open at the top of the mountain and the view was awesome. In front of me I could see Paris Mountain State Park in the distance and even see the city of Greenville with its tall buildings in the horizon. To the right I could see Table Rock State Park with its bare rock face. I could see 360 degrees around and the view was unbelievable

Sights like these make me glad to be alive!

Born in the Wrong Time?

Blog Prompt: Have you ever thought (or been told) that you were born in the wrong time? When in history do you think you would best 'fit in'?

I think I'm more conservative than many people in my area that are my age. It may be because I grew up sisters who were 10 and 12 years older than me. I loved the 50s and wish I had grown up during that time instead of the late 60s and 70s. I was not big into the hippie days with the free sex and drugs running rampant all around me. My parents did not have a lot of money so by the time I could afford fashions and fads of the day, I was already 3 years behind. I love the fashions and the music of the fifties because everything seemed more romantic during those days.

I love the southern belle outfits of the Civil War days but I'm too attached to modern conveniences to want to have actually lived during those day. I love the gallantry of men during the Civil War days too (can you imagine any of them wearing "sagging pants"?

My Favorite Toy

Blog Prompt: Today is the 50th Anniversary of the Lego! In honor of that, answer this question: What were your favorite toys or games when you were a child?

I have to admit that Legos were my favorite toys next to books when I was a child. I always wanted to be a teacher so I liked to read and make up class rosters and take attendance, teach lessons etc. I used Legos constantly as things for my classroom. I would sometimes make little desks for my Barbies to sit in for class. Sometimes I would make cash registers to teach math. Of course my father was really into James Bond movies so many times I would make up spy tools to use with my cover as a teacher in the classroom! Those Legos would become anything I could dream up!

On the side: Hubby and I went hiking today because it was so beautiful. We started talking about the possible serial killer who killed that girl hiking in Georgia. He is a suspect in the killing of a couple who was hiking where you normally hike. Both of us think that we recognized him and possibly came across the killer when we were hiking. It made me realize that we don't really know how many times God has kept us safe and it made me so thankful that God loves me and takes care of me even when I don't know it!

Visiting Grace

Finally got a photo of the shawl that I made and sent to my friend Grace. I forgot to take a picture before I sent it. I was in Washington DC when Grace's daughter emailed me to let me know that Grace had a heart attack and was in rehab. Since we were only 2 1/2 hours away, I talked my wonderful hubby into driving to NJ to see her. We met Grace and her husband about 9 years ago on a cruise and we've been friends ever since. Have you ever met people that you hit it off with right away and knew you would be good friends? It doesn't matter about the age difference (Grace is 84 now and Jerry turned 90 last year)because we have the same interests and values which makes them so easy to talk to. We didn't call first because I wanted to make sure we could get a hotel room before we called. Then it had gotten late so we decided to just show up at the rehab place. When we got to Grace's room, she was asleep but the shawl I had made for her was covering her (you can see it in the picture). It made me feel so good that she was using it and liked it enough to have it with her. We had a wonderful visit and sat with her while she had dinner. Even though her body was wearing out, her mind was as sharp as a tack and we had a great discussion about politics and presidential candidates. Unfortunately we couldn't stay long but I was so glad I got to visit her. Her daughter hopes that she will return home this weekend so I will try to call her later. We missed Jerry because he had already gone home so I hope we will get to see him on our next visit. It is so hard to find good friends you trust, so when you get them, you want to cherish them as much as you can!

Here is Grace with the shawl I made:


Here we all were on a cruise in Italy a few years ago:

Reading List

Blog Prompt: What's on your reading list? How many books are waiting in the queue?

I am currently reading the last of a trilogy by Nora Roberts called Red Lily. I've read this trilogy before and still enjoy it. Since I've been reading James Patterson's Alex Cross novels that involve murder and mystery, I needed a little romance to lighten things up. I have 2 Patterson novels waiting to be read and I also have a couple of Debbie MacComber novels (I can't remember which ones because I've read most of them)to give me a breath of fresh air if I need it from the Patterson novels. All of these books are from the public library so I really need to get busy! Plus I have a whole list of books I want to read if I get in the mood to read them or am looking for something to read. I get excerpts from an online book club that I subscribe to and if I like the book, I look for it in the public library. It is so so cold, that I might get under the covers with some hot chocolate and get reading!

Coffee or Tea

Blog Prompt: Is it coffee or tea for you in the morning? Give some free advertising for your favorite morning pick-me-up.

I have to admit that I don't usually go for coffee or tea. Instead I head for a big glass of diet pepsi. Every once in awhile I try to get off the diet pepsi kick and make unsweetened ice tea. If I'm really cold in the morning, I sometimes make myself a hot cup of tea (usually white tea, darjeeling, or chai). I love the smell of coffee but coffee doesn't always agree with my tummy (I know, too much information!)and makes my tummy hurt for hours, sometimes all day. I wish they would make a potpourri smelling like coffee.

DSP prompts 01/21 -01/23

Monday's prompt: Finish the sentence 'Today I would like ...'.

• Today I would like to…
• Catch up on my DSP prompts.
• Wash my bed sheets (I am ashamed to admit that I don’t do this often enough.).
• Make some scrapbook pages before the challenge deadlines.
• Look at photos I took this past week from my trip up north.
• Walk our 4 miles in the park instead of on my treadmill if it isn’t raining.
• Work on my prayer shawl.
• Call a friend who just recently resigned from teaching due to health problems.

Tuesday's prompt: Have you ever gotten 'attached' to a piece of clothing? One you didn't want to get rid of, even when you knew you should?

I had a denim shirt that I wore like a sweater so much that it was showing extreme signs of wear. The cuffs and the pocket were frayed and looked messy. It had that washed out denim look from so many washings over the years and was so soft and comfortable. I finally broke down and bought a new denim shirt but it wasn’t as comfortable as that one. I guess it was some subconscious thing but I have lost the new one so I’m back to wearing my old one until I find another new one that I can live with.

Wednesday's prompt: Where would you rather be?
I have to admit that there is nowhere I would rather be right now than home. We have been away again for another week and I am so glad to be home. I had been complaining before we left about how cold it was in SC and I should have kept my mouth shut. When we got to Washington DC, I was soooooo cold! I was feeling sad because I was missing the first snow at home for the first time when it began to snow while we were walking around DC. This was really magical because the flakes were so big and fluffy! The wind chill factor was bone chilling and made me really want to be home and not where I was. So, to repeat the line from the Wizard of Oz: There’s no place like home!

Crochet Projects

People have asked what I have crocheted up to now so these are my crochet projects up to now. I just started in May of 2007 so I'm still learning. They are not really fancy or very good but I have really enjoyed making them.

This is my first afghan and first thing I have ever crocheted. I also made a shawl that looked just like this but only smaller which I sent to my friend Grace.


This was for the Furman football games:


I thought this would be cool for me to wear around the house:


I made this for my hubby but he won't wear it because he doesn't like to wear a scarf or a hat:


This was for me:


This is the prayer shawl I made with yarn that was donated to me for this project. I learned how to make the granny square from YouTube.

Thursday and Friday's prompts

Thursday’s prompt: Things that bug us. Make a list, then when the everyone else posts, cross off things that more than one person listed.
1. People who finish my sentence before I do or at the same time.
2. People who share their racist or bigot-ed ideas out in public.
3. People who make fun of and ridicule others who are different.
4. When my husband will step over the garbage bag rather than take it out to the trash can.
5. Wet towels left on the bathroom floor.
6. People who won’t leave a message on the answering machine because they don’t like answering machines.
7. People who call me after 10pm when I’m usually falling asleep because I get up at 5am every day.
8. People who burp and fart out in public and think it is funny.
9. People who use their cell phones in the library and movie theater.
10. People who tend to invade my personal space when we are standing in a line and have to touch me with their body or belongings.

Friday’s prompt: What kinds of humor do you enjoy the most? Tell us what makes you laugh!
1. Cartoons about funny things that happen in everyday life that makes it look like someone is secretly seeing my life unfold.
2. Stupid criminals and the things they do thinking they won’t get caught and then do get caught.
3. Knock Knock jokes that are really stupid but told by a child who thinks it is the funniest thing in the world and can’t stop giggling.
4. Humorous sitcoms that are about every day life like Everybody Loves Raymond and Seinfeld.

Photo Story

Blog Prompt: Go to my blog, choose one of the photos, post it on your blog and write something creative about it. It could be a description, a short story, a poem, how it makes you feel...whatever you want!




I am on this path that leads to a hiking trail, which is my favorite place to be. The weather is cool enough to hike so that you don't get all sweaty while you are on the trail. It must be spring because flowers are starting to emerge along the path. The birds are singing joyously because they feel as if the earth is experiencing a rebirth. It must have rained yesterday because everything is looking green and fresh. I love the crispness in the air and the way the sun rays weave in and out of the tree branches. It makes me thankful for the world that I live in and that God has given me this chance to see his beautiful creation. I am filled with joy and wonder and feel invincible.

My Favorite Quote

Blog Post: Post a quote that you like and write about why it means something to you.

My favorite is "Do unto others, as you would have them do unto you."

I believe the off shoot of this is "what goes around, comes around" because I know it really happens. I have seen it happened and it is not always pretty!

When I get angry at people, I try to remind myself of this quote so I don't do anything stupid (which doesn't always work) but sometimes it helps me stop and think first. I try to think about why I would act the way that person did, and maybe I'm having a bad day or had a fight with my hubby and how I would want others to act toward me. Sometimes this helps me calm down and walk away, or sometimes it makes me stop and ask that person, " is everything okay?" This can bring amazing results and open a conversation that I know would never have happened if I hadn't thought of my quote.

Sometimes we actually do things for other people in hopes that when we need help, there will be someone there for us. I guess I see it like "putting it in the bank for a rainy day." Since we hike a lot, we know how hard it is for long distance hikers to get supplies so sometimes we go up to Fontana Dam in NC and bring food supplies and hot chocolate to the Appalachian Trail hikers. They usually really appreciate it and only take what they need. I figure that someday I will be on the trail and need food and some "trail angel" will be there for us too.

One time we had a flat tire in Georgia and because of my husband's back injury, he was unable to change the tire. We called AAA to send a tow truck to help us but that could take hours. This wonderful young couple stopped and the young man insisted on changing our tire for us. When we tried to give them some money, they refused it and said they were just glad to be able to help us because it could be them someday. Of course this quote popped in my head again. What a wonderful world we live in!

Things that Make Me Smile

Blog Prompt: Write a list of things that make you smile -- which I know we've done before, but the twist is that each of our lists should be unique. So make your list, then when you read the others' posts, if both of you list the same thing, strike it out on your list. I want to see how many distinctly creative things we can come up with today!

1. My husband's laughter
2. The sun shining on my face
3. A hike in the forest
4. Happy thoughts
5. Ice Age movie
6. A small child giggling
7. 2 people so deeply in love with each other that you can feel it just being near them
8. My dad winning a card game (because it really makes him happy!)
9. When my husband really likes something that I've cooked
10. Reading something funny on someone else's blog

Favorite Moments of 2007

Blog Prompt: Describe some of your favorite moments from this past year.

1. The day my department threw me a surprise retirement party at my favorite restaurant. That meant more to me than the "official" retirement luncheon that the whole school attended. I have worked with many of them for a lot of years and it was hard to make the decision to retire. I really felt loved and I will miss them a lot!
2. As we sat out on the porch of the best hotel room in Louisville, Kentucky, the fireworks went off right in front of us to begin Thunder Over Louisville. We were right on the river with nothing in front of us so we had an awesome view. This was the beginning celebration of the Kentucky Derby and I've never been to anything like it.
3. The day of my husband's retirement party when everyone came to wish him well. As a judge, he has not always made everyone happy, yet there was still a huge crowd of people who showed up. Many people I didn't know came up to me to tell me how fair and honest he was which made me so proud of him. I know he has made a positive difference in many people's lives.
4. My dad was recovering from his stroke and finally back at home. The four of us sat around the table and played a card game called Scat. I was so relieved that my dad was well enough to play cards that involved some heavy thinking and fine motor skills. I knew then that he was going to get better.

My Favorite Books of 2007

Blog Prompt: My Favorite Books of 2007

I have to admit that I don't have a favorite book as much as I have favorite authors. And my favorite book is usually the one I'm really into at the moment. So here is a list of my favorite books/authors:
1. all of the Harry Potter books
2. The DaVinci Code by Dan Brown
3. Debbie MacComber
4. Nora Roberts
5. Books by Dorothea Benton Frank that are set in South Carolina
6. James Patterson
7. Janette Oke

Favorite Movies of 2007

Blog Prompt: Favorite Movies of 2007

We really don't go to the movies much and wait until it comes out on my satellite TV which means I usually see if months or a year after it has been released. I can't believe how much movies and food are now. We went last week to see the new National Treasure movie and my husband almost freaked out at the concession stand. Our matinee tickets (for 2) totaled $13 and then a medium popcorn with 2 large drinks cost $16! We did go out a couple of times last year and I can't remember what I saw except one which is my favorite movie. It was Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. My husband knows that I love all the Harry Potter books and movies and will not wait until it comes out on my TV. I guess I saw my one movie for the year and that will be it until next year (unless they have a sale at the movie theater!). LOL

Favorite Scrapbook Pages of 2007

Blog Prompt: My Favorite Scrapbook Pages of 2007

Here we are with my parents on a cruise.

I finally got to meet Yolanda when we went to San Juan.

This is my niece and her daughter, Kaeli.

Here is Kaeli with her oldest sister.

I love butterflies!


Things we see when we hike.

My Favorite Photos of 2007

Blog Prompt: My favorite photos of this year are:




This crazy picture is Don and me at our Chinese New Year's Party.



This mother bird was bringing food to her babies. I can't believe she posed for me!



Callaway Gardens, Georgia



Providence Canyon
Lumpkin, Georgia



Devil's Courthouse
Blue Ridge Parkway, NC



Thunder Over Louisville
The Celebration to kick-off the Kentucky Derby

Word of the Year

I have gotten this idea from Tink who got this idea from ArtcTrish and I thought it was wonderful. I think my word for this year will be:

ENJOY.

Main Entry: en·joy
Pronunciation: \in-ˈjȯi, en-\
Function: verb
Etymology: Middle English enjoien, from Anglo-French enjoir, enjoier to gladden, enjoy, from en- + joie joy
Date: 15th century
intransitive verb
: to have a good time
transitive verb
1 : to have for one's use, benefit, or lot : experience
2 : to take pleasure or satisfaction in

Now I know a lot of you already think I enjoy my life but I don't think I enjoy it fully for many reasons.

1. I tend to overcommit so that instead of enjoying an activity, I resent the time I am putting into it. I will say no and ask for a raincheck.
2. I am pretty shy about getting in front of people to talk. I will say no to the things I know will actually stress me out.
3. I sometimes feel pressured into doing things. I will say no to the things I really don't want to do.
4. I will enjoy the moment. Sometimes I worry about what other people are thinking or how I look or sound that I really don't enjoy the present moment. I will consciously make myself push out the negative thoughts.
5. Be more positive. If I am in a difficult situation, I will look for something about it that I can take pleasure or satisfaction from it.
6. I plan to exercise, meditate, and pray daily in order to get more enjoyment out of my life.

New Foods

Blog Prompt: Is there a new food you want to try this year? Or a new recipe you want to make?

I am a really picky eater so I can't think of anything new I want to try but my husband wants me to try curry so I will probably do this. He has read some health books that say spicy foods are good for your health (of course this could change next year).

I plan to try a lot of new recipes this year but I'm not sure of any specific one. Of course it will depend on the mood I'm in and how hard the recipe is. I'm not a very good cook but I hear that with practice I will get better. Even though we have been married 25 years, it isn't too late to try. Of course my husband LOVES food, so he is excited about me trying new things. I'll let you know how it goes.

Things I Used to Enjoy Doing

Blog Prompt: Is there something that you used to do and enjoy that you would like to start doing again? Tell us about it.

1. I used to play my accordion at the nursing home but due to all sorts of obligations and committments, I have not had the time to do that. I am hoping this year that I can spend at least one day a month (I was going once a week) playing my accordion for the residents while they eat their lunch. They seemed to enjoy it and it made me feel good about myself.
2. I would like to cook more at home. I liked doing it when I had the time and the energy but when I was working and raising children, I didn't have either. Now that I'm retired with just the 2 of us at home, I hope I can get back to cooking. I was never very good at it but I enjoyed it when I did it.
3. I would like to ride my bike more often. When I was growing up I used to ride my bike in the neighborhood a lot. A year ago I bought a bike at a yard sale and rode it about 10 times and haven't gotten on it since. I always had an excuse that it is too hot or too cold but hopefully in another month or two, it will be just right.

Scrapping Goal

Blog Prompt: What new scrapping technique do you want to try this year? Or do you have a goal with your scrapping this year?

I think I would like to try blending again this year. I took a class last year but never got the hang of it and gave up. I use PSE4 and I have to do something complicated but I think I never had enough time to play with it. This year I should have more time to do that.

I also plan to scrap a lot of older photos that I never had time to do until now. Since Club Digital is on sale (6 months/19.99), I couldn't resist and now will have motivation to scrap more!

Happy New Year!

Blog Prompt: What is some new activity/hobby that you want to try this year?

Happy New Year everyone! I am really excited about this year. I feel like this is going to be such a grea year. I am feeling so optimistic and full of good vibes that I can't help feeling great today!

I couldn't pick out just one thing so here are some new activities I want to try.

1.I want to try to learn knitting and roller blading this year. I have tried roller blading one time and think I should give it another try (I shouldn't have given up after one time no matter how bad it might have seemed).
2. Now that I've learned to crochet, I would like to try my hand at knitting at some point. I've always felt intimidated by my mother and sister's success at creativity that I've finally come to terms with it and willing to try some of the things they were good at.
3. I am also hoping to hike down into the Grand Canyon this year.

Who knows what other great things are in store for me but I'm excited about finding out! It is so great to be alive!