Most Embarrassing Fashion Moment

Blog Prompt: Fashion Woes. What, in your opinion, is your most embarrassing fashion moment.

Gee I have so many and I have to pick the most embarrassing? I guess I was in college at the time of hip hugger bell bottoms. On the day of anyone's birthday, it was common to see them grabbed in the dining hall and thrown in the man made lake so I knew what to expect. Sure enough, that night at dinner on my birthday, a group of guys approached me and carried me out to the lake for a toss. I fought courageously and took 2 of the 4 guys in with me. (Now you ask, how heavy was I that it took 4 guys to carry me out?! I was only 100 pounds but I was scared so I fought like a tiger!) Now comes the embarrassing part. The water was around chest level and there was a wall all along the edge so when it was time to haul me out of the lake the guys took my arms to pull me out. Unfortunately all the water soaked in my blue jeans plus the duck muck was pretty deep and the guys couldn't pull me out. It took 4 guys to pull me out and there was a huge sucking sound as they pulled me out and I almost lost my pants. They had a hold of my arms so I couldn't grab my pants. It was not a pretty sight!

I did this quiz that I saw on Tink's blog. I thought it was intriguing!

How will I die? Your Result: You will die in your sleep.   A peaceful departure into the next life. You are blessed with the good fortune of passing from sleep into eternity. Do not fear sleep. To dream into the next life is a rare gift.
You will die while saving someone's life.
You will die while having sex.
You will die from a terminal illness.
You will die of boredom.
You will die in a car accident.
You will be murdered.
You will die in a nuclear holocaust.
How will I die? Create a Quiz

Dress Code

Blog Prompt: Now that school has started back here, the big issue is the dress code. Do you agree with having a dress code and if so, who should determine what it should be? Should it be the principal, the school board, the students, the parents, the state dept. of ed or someone else?

After teaching all these years, I'm all in favor of a dress code. We are in the business of teaching children, so shouldn't we teach them how to dress appropriately? I am not in favor of uniforms because I don't think that necessarily teaches kids how to dress appropriately, just the same. I am so sick and tired of seeing pants falling off of boy's backsides and showing 4 or 5 pairs of boxers they have on, girls showing their tummies with pierced things sticking out and more than likely many of these young girls are overweight and they roll over the waistband of their stretch pants to show even more skin...oh sorry, I'm getting agitated just thinking about it! Little girls are dressing like hoochie mamas (that's what my students called girls who were loose!). I always wondered if that was Jon Benet Ramsey's downfall. It disgusts me to watch the boys holding on to the front of their pants with one hand, while they talk on a cell phone on the other. What kind of jobs do these kids plan on getting? Even construction workers don't wear sagging pants because of the safety issue!

I think there should be a committee of students, parents, school personnel, and business people who decide what the dress code should be. This way everyone can have input into what and why. I don't think there is any way to please all of the people all of the time, but I think it is time for someone to do something!

Blog Prompt: Just call me nosy Rosy! I had to defrost my freezer this month in hopes of repairing it, which we did. It amazed me to find stuff in there that I had forgotten about! Name 5 things in your freezer right now.

1. brown and serve sausage
2. wine glasses
3. pork marinated in special bbq sauce
4. chicken thighs
5. blue plastic block filled with water for my small cooler

(I told my hubby about the prompt and he said I should have also asked how many people had to go look first! LOL He couldn't name 5 things. His list was more like ice cubes, sausage, and air)

More Herbs, Less Salt Day

Blog Prompt: Today is More Herbs, Less Salt Day. What herb(s) do you like in your food?

I like to cook with garlic and ginger root. I do a lot of stir fry stuff so this really flavors my food. They are the main things that I use but sometimes in my meat loaf I will add basil and oregano. Of course I don't really like cooking much but since I've retired, I've been cooking more at home. Maybe I will learn to be a better cook from reading other people's blogs about the herbs they use.

Now it is time to get ready for a day of hiking. I'm going to the Blue Ridge Parkway with a group to pick blueberries. I hate blueberries but my hubby loves them, so... the things you do for love!

Serious Illness

Blog Prompt: Describe the most serious illness you have ever had.

I have been very lucky in my life (knock on wood!). The most serious illness I've ever had was the food poisoning episode from last week. It hit me so suddenly and involved so much blood and dehydration that it scared me pretty bad. I felt like I was going to die! I know it scared my husband pretty bad also because he didn't leave my side for 2 days. After going to the emergency room (the first time I've ever been there because I was sick), the doctors told me that there was nothing they could do for me and that it had to "run its course" and I needed to stay hydrated. They considered admitting me but I talked them out of it since they couldn't give me anything, I was too cheap to pay the high expenses for them to watch me!

Thank goodness my hubby is such a wonderful caregiver whenever I am sick because I know as long as he is there, I will be taken care of. I had no appetite and didn't want to drink anything but he badgered and nagged me so that I would eat and drink in order to get well. I've been very tired this week and not up to par so I didn't even get to do any hiking for the past week. I have been taking a little nap before lunch and after lunch. Now that I'm feeling so much better, we have started back walking our 3 miles in the evening (at a slower pace than usual) and I will go hiking tomorrow.

10 Favorite Words

Blog Prompt: What are your 10 favorite words.

These are not in order of favorite-ness though:
1. retirement
2. health
3. love
4. chocolate
5. salt
6. hiking
7. sunny
8. internet
9. camera
10. family

Food I Could Never Give up!

Blog Prompt: One food you would never give up is salt.

At first I thought this would be easy but after I started thinking about items, I realized that I would probably be able to give it up. I finally narrowed it down to salt. I love salt! I love food with salt on it and I put salt on practically everything. I can't imagine life without salt. When I was younger, I loved to pour salt in the palm of my hand and lick it off. (Hope that doesn't gross anyone out!) In fact, have you ever baked a cake and forgotten to put salt in it? It is horrible! Salt is probably the most important food in the world! Thank goodness I don't have high blood pressure because I can't imagine what I would do if they told me I couldn't have salt.

Hoodie Hoo Day

Blog Prompt: Thurs. Aug. 23 is Southern Hemisphere Hoodie-Hoo Day -- Long awaited by our Southern-half friends, this is the day to go outdoors at high noon and yell "Hoodie-Hoo" to chase winter and make ready for spring. Do you do something traditional during a specific season (like spring cleaning for example)? If so, what do you do?

When I was growing up my mother made us do spring and fall cleaning (watching drapes, windows, carpets, and all the heavy duty yucky stuff) so out of rebellion, I don't do any of that stuff. My drapes probably have cobwebs all over them and when I get in the mood, I vacuum them. The windows get washed when they are so dirty, I can't see out of them. I call a professional carpet cleaner to do the carpet every other year whether it needs it or not. All other stuff is ignored!

The only thing I really do is switch clothes. I have a clothes closet and in the fall, my spring clothes go in there and vice versa. Also every spring, I go and buy loads of plants even though I know I will kill half of them before summer is over. Every fall I buy truckloads of mulch and pine needles and complain about why in the world I ever considered this endeavor and if I ever think of this again I hope someone kicks me in the butt!

What Book Are You?

You're To Kill a Mockingbird!

by Harper Lee

Perceived as a revolutionary and groundbreaking person, you have
changed the minds of many people. While questioning the authority around you, you've
also taken a significant amount of flack. But you've had the admirable guts to
persevere. There's a weird guy in the neighborhood using dubious means to protect you,
but you're pretty sure it's worth it in the end. In the end, it remains unclear to you
whether finches and mockingbirds get along in real life.


Take the Book Quiz
at the Blue Pyramid.

This was great because this is one of my all time favorite book and movie!

Be an Angel Day

Blog Prompt: Wed. Aug 22 is Be an Angel Day. Tell something nice you could do for someone today.

My neighbor just had a mastectomy and a hysterectomy so she is left with little energy and going through chemo. If she would let me, I would go to her house and do all those little chores you put off every day. I would clean her bathrooms, vacuum, dust, empty trash, wash dishes (all those chores that are actually waiting for me here at home!) I would even run to the grocery store to get things she needed (I hate going grocery shopping).

3 People I Emailed

Blog Prompt: Name three people you last e-mailed, and why.

1. Group email to the Turtles (hiking group): our leader is away in NY so I am the back up leader. An email goes out every Sunday evening reminding them where our Wed. hike is and what we will be doing. This Wed. we are doing trail maintenance at a state park which is our way of "giving back" for all the wonderful trails we hike on.
2. The teacher who took my place: she wanted some things I developed on the computer to use in the classroom so the transition to a new teacher wouldn't be so bad. I miss the kids already but I don't miss the actual paperwork!
3. Glynis: to give her a blogger award. She is really on the ball with the blogger prompts and leads this the month before I do. I was thrilled to get this award from Tink who lead the prompts the month after me. What a trio we are!

Weekend Happenings

I want to start off by thanking Tink for this blogger award! I'm so honored! What a great email to get when I got home this weekend!

I also want to give 2 others this award who have been very diligent in doing the daily blog prompts and I find really interesting to read:

Glynis's Ordinary Days

Tammy's Personalized Creations

Now I have to go and do the laundry from this weekend's camping trip. We went to the lake to visit my sister in law and her husband. They have this magnificent large motor home and they go all out (it was wonderful having breakfast and dinner cooked for me!) but I think they had a hard time understanding that we like our tent! LOL

5 Things Around My Computer

Blog Prompt: Name five things lying around your computer.

1. TV remote control
2. Can of Diet Pepsi (It is 100 degrees outside!)
3. Book: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Read a chapter, take a break, play on computer and then go back to reading)
4. Printer
5. External Hard Drive

What can I say, I'm a geek!

Elvis

Blog Prompt: Aug 16 is the 30th anniversary of Elvis Presley’s death. Do you know who Elvis is? If so, what was your favorite movie? Are you a big fan of his? Why or why not?

I grew up watching Elvis movies because my oldest sister loved Elvis! My favorite movie was Blue Hawaii and I could watch it over and over. I love the songs and the sweet romance and the fact that it takes place in Hawaii (where I've never been before). I'm not a big fan of his other than I like to watch his movies. I remember near the end of his life that I had thought he was just a big fat drug addict. It was such a waste that he abused his body so much when he seemed to have so much so I don't think I would still be a fan if he was alive today.

Relaxation

Blog Prompt: Aug 15 is National Relaxation Day. Tell what things you see, hear or do that relaxes you.

1. Reading: I love to read when I'm eating (which sometimes drives my hubby crazy!) but I find it very relaxing.
2. Music: especially when I'm driving (which tends to stress me out a little).
3. Hiking: I makes me glad to be alive. It puts any problems I have into perspective and I'm not stressed out anymore.
4. Browing layouts in DSP Gallery: I love to look at the techniques used, the stories told, the photos used, the colors used.

A Childhood Sound

Blog Prompt: Describe a 'sound' from your childhood. What was it? When did you hear it? What does it bring to mind?

Yesterday as my hubby and I walked in the park for our evening exercise, I heard the music of an ice cream truck. Immediately that brought back some memories of childhood. I didn't get to buy ice cream much from the ice cream truck (called Mr. Softee) but when I did, it was a big deal! I used to get a cone that was called Mickey Mouse (nonpareils were used as the ears, and a cherry for the nose).

Another time I remember staying at my aunt's house during the summer one time when I was about 8 years old. There were 6 kids much older than I was and when they went to work, I was left alone with my aunt and uncle, who did not speak any English. Of course, I didn't speak any Chinese so this was a challenging time for me. I was a little lonely, bored, and scared but I had my books with me so I knew I would be alright. My aunt brought me in this huge tray full of hard candy that tasted like coconut so I was happy as I read the morning away. In the afternoon, she came and took my hand and made me go outside. I was a little confused until I heard the ice cream truck. With a huge smile on her face, she handed me some money and let me buy ice cream. When everyone came home from work, I realized that I had a wonderful day and it didn't matter that we couldn't speak each other's language, we still communicated!

Scary Movies

Blog Prompt: August 13 is Alfred Hitchcock’s birthday. In honor of his birthday, name the movie(s) that scare you the most.

I refuse to watch horror movies that are filled with blood and gore but the suspenseful scary movies really get to me (and I try to avoid them too). The movies that have scared me the most are Halloween because of the suspense of waiting for something horrible happen. There is one scene where they are walking towards a tall hedge and you just know something evil is waiting on the other side. The music is building and they are walking closer, closer, and then...nothing happens. It is like the downhill side of a roller coaster. The other movie is When a Stranger Calls which has recently been remade. I saw that at a drive in movie theater with my boyfriend (who is now my hubby) over 25 years ago. It deals with a babysitter who gets creepy calls from a killer telling her to check the children. The next day I had to babysit and I made the kids sleep on the couch and my boyfriend stayed on the phone with me the entire evening until the parents returned home. That was the end of my babysitting days.

A Rough Day in the Woods

(This photo was taken with my new camera!)

In order to get out of the heat, my hubby and I fled to the mountains. We decided to go up to Mt. Mitchell, NC and do some hiking. First we got up and went to the flea market so my hubby could buy some "treasures". We arrived at Mt. Mitchell in time to look at some beautiful views and have lunch. After lunch we decided to hike the 2 mile Commissary Ridge Trail (rated easy) and back. Well, the trail was an old logging road full of rocks and in full sun. I decided that we needed to get on the Camp Alice trail and hike the .5 mile strenuous uphill to get out of the sun. I thought when we got to the top, we could take the Old Mitchell trail back down to the car because I was worried that my hubby was not drinking enough and he was dripping with sweat. After a few minutes he let me know that he was pretty nauseous so I assumed he was experiencing some difficulty due to the heat and tried to encourage him to drink more. This made him a little grumpy but we continued slowly up the trail. Finally we reached the top only to find out that the trail kind of went up and down instead of all down like I had hoped. At least we were in the shade and hubby was drinking more. I noticed he was even looking better as we traveled down the trail. Thank goodness because thoughts of having to drag his butt out of the mountain was not thrilling me! When we were about 10 minutes from the car, I was attacked by yellow jackets behind my knee and above the ankle on the back of my leg. The bee got stuck in my sock and kept stinging me or there was more than one but whatever happened, there is a pretty big bite on the back of my leg. Of course I was worried about my allergies and having an allergic reaction so I immediately took the Allegra D that was in my pocket (I had forgotten to take it this morning) and when we got to the car, I took a benedryl too. Don even chewed up an aspirin into a paste and put it on the stings. Boy, was I sleepy all the way home. I could barely keep my eyes open at McDonalds for dinner. Of course by the time we got to our town, I was awake enough to eat freshly baked hot doughnuts! Now I am recuperating at home but I can't believe after 5 hours it still stings. All I can say is Ouch!

Smithsonian Item

Blog Prompt: Friday Aug. 10 is the anniversary of the Smithsonian Institute. If you could put one item in the Smithsonian (national Museums in Washington DC), what would you want preserved for future generations?

After careful thinking, I believe I would like to see my accordion put in the Smithsonian. I only know one other person personally who plays the accordion and he is in his 70s. I recently started to play my accordion once a week during lunch at a local nursing home. I played some sacred songs and was thrilled when I heard some of the residents singing the songs while I played. It gave me such a wonderful feeling! You always hear of people playing the piano or an organ or a band or symphony instrument but not many accordion players. I remember growing up watching the Lawrence Welk show and my parents hoping that I would someday be as good as the one on TV. I also remember wishing that I wasn't the only one in my age group (I started when I was 4) who played an accordion because all of my other teenage friends were playing the "cool" instruments. I eventually taught myself the guitar and I took organ lessons but after all these years I have come back in a full circle to the accordion. I'm not worried about what other people think anymore and can really enjoy playing my accordion. In the past few years I have been asked to play in different homes during the Christmas Tour of Homes and I have played for friends who were very sick. I realize that this instrument is easier to bring along than a piano or an organ and now I am proud of playing a different instrument than most people. I imagine that playing the accordion will become a lost art.

Favorite Day/Gas and Weather

I'm a little behind because yesterday I bought a new camera (took half the day to buy it and the other half to read the directions!). I got a new Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ8K. I'm so excited and I can't decide what to photograph!

Wednesday's prompt:
What is your favorite day of the week?

Now that I'm retired, my perspective on this question has changed immensely! My favorite day of the week is now Wednesday. It is the day I go hiking with my hiking buddies. We all come from different walks of life and are all different ages. I love to talk with them and find out what they have done all week, their opinions on books, movies, and life in general. I love being around them because of their love for life! Many of them are over 75 and don't want to waste a minute of living. I hope I will be like that at that age.

Thursday's prompt:
Blog Prompt: I'm in the mood for some "current events" today and would love to hear what the weather is like in your part of the world. Also, how much did you pay for gas the last time you filled up your car?

This morning I filled my car up with gas that was $2. 48 per gallon which is the cheapest it has been in a long time. I don't understand how the same store could have it 10 cents more across town. Is that not an example of price gouging? Oh well, I won't get started on that. As for the weather, it is supposed to get up to 103 today with a heat index of 110. My hubby uses this as an excuse not to walk our 3 miles. Can you believe that?!

My Hands

Blog Prompt: Look at your hands. Why are you grateful for them?

I'm so grateful to have hands to:

• Hug others.
• Use the computer.
• Garden.
• Care for myself.
• Take pictures.
• Feed myself.
• Help others.
• Play the accordion

After I typed these, I wondered if it was just off the top of my head or whether my brain made me put them down in order of importance. Hmm....

Joke for Monday

Blog Prompt: Aug. 6 is Lucille Ball’s birthday. I thought she was a great comedienne so in honor of her birthday, I thought we could tell a joke. Since it is also Monday, I think many of us need a joke to make us smile today!

Q: Two yellow jackets were flying through the air. One of them had his legs crossed. What were they looking for?

A: A BP station

If I found $20...

Blog Prompt: How would you spend a found $20 bill?

I would probably use it to buy more DSP kits. Now that I'm retired I'm really trying not to spend so much money but I can't help it. I have limited myself to $12 a week and it is really hard to choose what to get. And of course, I don't count Club Digital! I can only hope that the ones I don't get will be on sale some day.

Ideal Picnic

Blog Prompt: If you could plan the ideal picnic for your family, what would it look like? Be sure to include the following: Food, Location , Activities

My hubby and I've gone on more picnics this year than we have in probably 10 years. We are not picky about the food as much as the location. One time we just had peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, one time we had Kentucky Fried Chicken, and another time we made sausage dogs. But all of the times, we were near a mountain river and it was just the 2 of us. We usually have a picnic when we are hiking too because we are usually miles into the forest and we bring our lunch. Around lunchtime we try to find a nice spot along a river or if there isn't any river, we try to find a place with a nice view. For some reason I love peanut butter and jelly sandwiches when I'm hiking. I usually bring fruit for us to eat, and cookies for desert. If we are near the water, we usually play in the river after we are done eating (in the summer, not the winter).

The Internet

(Decided to scrap yesterday's photo last night!)

Blog Prompt: Tell how the internet has made an impact on your life.

1. It has made doing research on places we plan to go much easier. I don't have to run to the library only to find out the book I want is already checked out and the book store has the book but it costs a gazillion dollars!


2. I also love emailing vs. snail mail! I save on money, time (because I get quicker responses), and it is soooo much easier! I hate talking on the phone so this is much better for me.


3. I have reconnected with relatives around the country through AOL Instant Messenger. I have a cousin in California that I haven't seen in 35 years and I hope to see him next summer. I have also gotten much closer to my sister because we talk every day on the computer which has led to both of us getting Verizon so we also talk on the cell phone more frequently.


4. I have learned how to do digital scrapbooking because of DSP! If I hadn't been searching for answers on why my first attempt at paper scrapping was so bad, I would never have found DSP. I was so disappointed and frustrated, that I was delighted to know there was an easier way. I've been hooked ever since.

Photo - not scrapped yet

Blog Prompt: Take a photo you've been meaning to scrap and write your journaling for it here.

I've been meaning to take a photo of this since the momma bird started to build the next on my side porch. Then I watched her sitting there and took a photo of that. I decided to wait and get a photo of the eggs but I never saw her leave the nest to get a photo of the eggs. I noticed lately that she wasn't sitting on the nest much and wondered if she gave up. My hubby says that I probably scared her away because I showed so much interest in her. Today I brought my tall ladder over to the nest and thought I would see unopened eggs. Was I surprised when I saw the baby birds! I hope she doesn't mind that I took a picture of her babies!

Different "Hats"

Blog Prompt: How many different 'hats' will you wear today? Will you be mom, grandma, employee, employer..etc. How do you balance all of it?

1. Wife: My favorite hat to wear. I enjoyed having breakfast and lunch with my honey! I will be cooking him dinner tonight also and we will enjoy our 3 mile walk after dinner.
2. Retired teacher: I went by my old school to pick up my last pay stubs and arrange to get the last of my materials from my classroom.
3. Boss's Wife: When I go to my hubby's office, his staff treat me like I'm a queen! (which I don't expect them to do since I'm usually wearing these dirty blue jean shorts from gardening and a sweaty ol' tshirt!)
4. Volunteer: I went by the nursing home and arranged to play my accordion once a week during their lunch. (Just like a fine dining restaurant!).
5. Library User: I use the public library a lot and I'm in the middle of re-reading the Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix book.
6. Gardener: I did go out and weed some of the flowerbeds this morning before going out to breakfast.
7. Web designer: I designed a web page for our rental property (My hubby has been asking me to do this for about 2 years).
8. Aunt: I keep in touch with niece and nephew through email and AIM.
9. Scrapbooker: I am trying to do a page a day and learn new skills through DSP and Digital Scrapbooking magazine.
10. Relaxed and Lazy retired person: I'm thinking about laying down and possibly taking a nap (if it happens, it happens) while I watch whatever strikes my fancy on TV.

Exercise

Blog Prompt: What do you do for exercise?? And if you don't exercise, why don't you? And if you do, what is your motivation to keep going???

My hubby and I go walking for exercise. About 20 years ago, I lost all of my hair due to stress. Even now I find small bald spots on my head, which keeps me motivated to walk. Every evening, after my husband gets off work, we eat dinner and then walk 3 miles. For one thing, I am off the computer (which I'm on all of the time) and he is not in front of the TV (which is watches all of the time!). We spend the time talking about the future and what our plans are going to be. He also shares with me about his work and I used to share with him about my class (when I worked). We both look forward to that now and it has become a good habit.

I have read a lot of books on health and exercise but I think we get in a rut. My hubby has been complaining that with all of our walking and watching what we eat, he doesn't feel like he is losing weight. I just read that we need to do interval walking which would increase our losing weight. Of course, I knew this but just forgot about it. So, we are walking for 5 min. and then the next 5 min. we walk much faster. Then alternate every 5 min. I hope this helps and will let you know in the future.

We are also watching the calories we eat and try to eat healthy (but not to the point we are on a diet.) On the weekends, we eat whatever we want to and during the week, we cut out all sugar and junk food. I plan to increase the number of times I eat also (I can do that now that I have retired!). I plan to have a snack at 10 and 2 and 7. That will mean I'll be eating 6 times a day. The book says this will help kick in my metablolism. The jury is still out on that one too.

Movie that made me laugh

Blog Prompt: What was the last movie that made you really laugh? Or do you have one you've seen over and over and still makes you laugh?

I guess I'm easily amused so if we go see a comedy, I'm going to laugh. But something that makes me laugh is watching my hubby watch Ice Age. He loves that movie! I think it is all the body sounds that he can relate to but he really enjoys this. He doesn't usually let himself enjoy movies and says that some funny movies we see are "okay" but he really doesn't think many of them are as funny as advertised. But he has watched Ice Age about 3 different times and he really gets a kick out of it. I usually laugh at funny movies because I feel they are entertaining and funny and I don't try to analzye the funniness of the move! But I REALLY laugh just watching him laugh as he watches Ice Age!

Excuse Not To Work

Blog Prompt: Make up a great excuse why you can't work today.

First let me start off by telling you what has to be done today. I have to wash a load of clothes, which can only be done if I'm home. Usually I start a load even if I'm leaving the house but now we think the vent came off the dryer and has blown lint all behind the washer, dryer, and stove. I have to vaccuum all of that up but can't unless hubby is home to move the appliances since 2 of them are hooked to a gas line. So, I'm stuck babysitting the washer and dryer. I also have tons of boxes to sort through that I've brought home from work when I retired which has taken over my dining room. I also have vaccuuming to do since I've seen some dirt that I either need to sweep up or vaccuum up. It's also about time to clean the bathrooms (yuck!). I also have to make 2 phone calls that I am dreading to make since I hate talking on the phone. I also have to read a couple of library books since they are only loaned out for 14 days as new books.

Well, the main reason that I can't work today is...I'm retired! I shouldn't have to do anything that I don't want to if I don't want to! There is always tomorrow. I also checked out 3 DVDs of old movies to watch and my hubby doesn't like old movies so I have to watch them while he is at work. I also have a couple of layouts to do because the deadline for the challenges are coming up. I also have to "feed the hungry layouts" because I hate to get behind since everyone is so great about leaving nice comments on mine. I guess my main excuse is that I'm just too busy to do any work!

Favorite Spot

Blog Prompt: Stand in a favorite spot in your house, garden, wherever and describe it for us in detail.

I am actually sitting in my favorite spot in the house but it is my favorite spot only in the summer because it is so hot outside right now. I am at the table with my laptop which is located in my "playroom". Since there is just my hubby and myself, both of our laptops are plugged in and left on this table. This is also the table where we eat dinner and lay mail down on and have printers and a scanner on. In front of me, against the wall is our big screen TV which we took out of bedroom to make room for the new HDTV. In the middle of the room is the pool table (which we hardly ever use unless we are entertaining). Against the wall near where I am sitting is our treadmill which I use every morning. On the other side of the room is our hot tub,which my hubby uses every morning. There are big windows behind me that look out into our deck and huge backyard. I can see my water garden (in a huge flower pot) on the deck and watch the birds come in for a drink. I really enjoy this room.

Words of Wisdom

Blog Prompt: Find a proverb or saying that you think is true.

I think the saying that has most influenced me is any versions of "What goes around comes around!" or as my mother used to say "If you pee in the air, it will come back on you!" Of course it has to do with "Do unto others as you want them to do unto you."

I try to be nice and helpful to others because at some point in time, I may need help. We have gone out of our way to drive Appalachian Trail hikers to the doctor and even given them care packages of food. People who do this are considered "trail angels" and I am banking trail angel hours so when I'm on a hike and need help, someone may be there for me. I have helped elderly neighbors when they needed to go somewhere. We have even helped strangers when it is possible and safe to do so. All of this has come back around to us so many times!

For example, a few years ago we were on a trip to Chattanooga, TN one weekend when we had a flat tire. Since my husband's back is in bad shape, we really dreaded changing this tire so we called AAA. Within minutes, this nice young couple stopped and the husband changed our tire quickly before we knew it. They even refused to let us pay them! Then we stopped at a WalMart to try to buy a new tire, but they didn't have it in stock so they called another store about 20 miles away. Luckily that store had it but it was getting late on a Saturday evening so we were very worried they would close. When we drove up to this store, we knew it was past the tire dept. closing time but went there anyway. We couldn't believe our eyes when the 2 men were waiting on us. They had stayed open just for us and changed our tire so we could be on our way. We paid for the tire but the 2 men would not take any extra money from us for their troubles. People complain about all the bad in the world but its times like this when I realize how much good there is all around us!

Advice to my younger self

Blog Prompt: What advice would you give to your younger self?

If I could go back in time to talk to myself, here is the advice that I would give:

1. Enjoy the present instead of wishing for the future.
2. Be a better friend than you think you already are.
3. Don't be afraid to be yourself and be proud of what you are.
4. Be more outgoing. Other people are as shy as you are so take the first step.
5. Get outdoors more.
6. Be adventuresome and don't be afraid to try new things.
7. Appreciate your parents more because they won't be around forever.
8. Don't be afraid to stand up for what you believe in.
9. Don't be afraid to tell people that you don't want to do something that you aren't comfortable doing.
10. Stop thinking that everything has to always be about you. There are other people in this world!

Books

Blog Prompt: How many books do you have started, but not finished? Or do you only read one book at a time?

I usually read one book at a time. Even if I do not like the book, once I start reading it, I've got to finish it. I keep thinking that if I just read a little more, it will start to make sense or it will start to get better. Usually, it never does and I'm disappointed by the time I reach the ending because then I feel like I wasted my time.

Trivia for the Day

Blog prompt: Share a piece of useless/interesting information with the rest of us today.

I confess that I used the internet. I really like trivia so this was fun. Of course I had to search for something that sounded interesting because all of it was very useless! So here is my bit of trivia for today. I always knew there was a great reason to eat chocolate besides the normal reasons!

"Chocolate contains phenylethylamine (PEA), a natural substance that is reputed to stimulate the same reaction in the body as falling in love."

Future Discovery

Blog Prompt: What future discovery do you eagerly await? Why?

I hope in the near future they will find a cure for lupus. My oldest sister died from it in 1974 and my mother had it when she died. My middle sister has it and suffers from it every day. Even my cousins have it on my mother's side but I'm the only one I know that doesn't have it. I've given my blood in hopes of finding a cure. I don't know if its the exercise or eating habits or what that has kept it from me, but I hope I will continue to avoid getting lupus so they can use my blood to find a cure. I hear of many friends and acquaintances who are being diagnosed with it and I also hope that new ways will be found to treat it until they find the cure.

Creative Juices

Blog Prompt: What helps stir your creative juices? When you're feeling like you need some inspiration, where do you go? What do you do? Who do you talk with?

First of all, I'm the least creative in my family so it takes a whole lot to stir any creative juices I might have. My mother was an expert seamstress, knitter, crafts person. My oldest sister was an excellent artist. My middle sister can sew, crochet, weave and bake fantastic stuff! Then there is me. I used to do a lot of cross stitch but the designs were already made so I didn't feel very creative at that. Other than that, digital scrapbooking is the first creative thing I've done. When I can't figure out what to do, I usually go to my Favorites folder and see what layouts I really liked and try to copy the design. I alter them a little bit to make them my own, but I feel really good about it when I'm done. I haven't gotten the design rules down yet, so I just go with what makes me feel good. That is why I save the layouts that really seem to call out to me. I figure if I like them, they must have the right design so I'll use them as a pattern. Another thing that may inspire me is when I'm out hiking and have a photographic moment. Then as I hike, I start thinking about how I want to scrap it and with what color papers and so on. My poor hubby has to listen to this conversation and of course we argue about it because he thinks he knows everything! (and I let him think that sometimes!)

Lucky Number

Blog Prompt: Do you have a lucky number? Why is it lucky?

13 is actually my lucky number. I don't know why 13 is lucky for me other than people think it is unlucky and I like being the opposite of most people.

Today for instance is the first day in 3 weeks that I have actually felt better. I've had this stupid sinus infection that has lingered and made me feel miserable for every day except today, the 13th. Now I can't guarantee that tomorrow I will feel better but I'm happy for today.

I also went to Walmart at 7am to get my oil changed. Last week, I went at 8:30am and they told me it would be a 3 hour wait so I left. This morning I was the first one there and was out in 30 min. While I was there, I found 2 pairs of skorts (skirt + shorts) that I have been looking for. I wanted them to be under $10 and actually fit me (which is really hard for me to find). I had hoped to find some to bring on my cruises but I haven't been able to find any. I can't believe I found 2 that I liked today for only $9.77! Today is my lucky day!

As soon as I got home I went out to do some gardening and the weeds were very cooperative. They came right out without much pulling. My yard man was mowing my neighbor's yard and I forgot to ask him yesterday when he mowed my yard, to check out my weed eater. My hubby and I tried to start it even by putting new gas and oil in it but couldn't do it so my hubby said we would have to get it repaired. Well, after fiddling with it a little, it started right up for my yard man so we won't have to take it for repairs! It is only 10:15 and already it has been my lucky day!

Falling Creek Fantasy!

Blog Prompt: According to some, today is Pecan Pie Day. What food would you like today to celebrate?

I'm not a big sweet eater but since it is summer and hot, I would love this double scoop ice cream cone filled with Falling Creek Fantasy. That is the name of this ice cream mixture at a place called Dolly's in Brevard, NC. It is right at the entrance to Pisgah National Forest and after a hike, it is "required" that we go there for ice cream. Falling Creek Fantasy consists of cherry ice cream, chunks of maraschino cherries, and chunks of chocolate. I used to be a single scoop butter pecan fan until I ate this and love the mixture of cherries and chocolate. Yumm, now I really crave one but it is about a 90 min. drive for this and I haven't been hiking so I'll just dream about it for today.

TV Families

Blog prompt: Was your family like the Brady Bunch, the Partridge Family or the Happy Days gang? If not, who was your family like?

My family was nothing like any of them and I hated that we weren't! I watched all 3 shows and wished that my family could be just like them. My father was the one who cooked dinner every day and then went to work. My mom sewed my clothes and never wore cute dresses like the TV moms did. My parents were much older when they had me than most parents so they didn't "pal" around with my friends like the TV parents did. The TV kids always were popular and had friends but I was more shy and quiet. I wanted so much to be like them!

Moving On Up

Blog Prompt: Just like the old tv show the Jeffersons...when was the last time you felt like you were 'moving on up'?

I thought I was 'moving on up' when people outside my department starting coming to me for advice. I felt like my opinion and knowledge really meant something and I was quite honored. This past year of teaching I became a mentor to a few new teachers and it really does something to your self esteem when people come to you for advice. Hopefully people will still keep in touch with me and think I still know things even though I'm not in the classroom anymore.

Everyone Knows Me!

Blog Prompt: Is there a place you go where 'everybody knows your name'?

We eat at a local restaurant called Coach House pretty regularly. When we arrive, they usually have our unsweet teas ready for us and the waitress asks us if we want our regular stuff. If we have dinner there, sometimes the owner sends free desserts to us (and they are all homemade and to die for!). My department knows that this is my favorite restaurant so they threw me a surprise retirement party there and the restaurant staff even joined in and other customers clapped for me. It almost feels like home!

Makeup

Blog Prompt: Do you wear makeup? Love it or hate it? If you do wear it, is it for you or other people?

I only wear mascara and eyeliner and if I ever remember (about 5 days out of the year) I will put on a little lipstick. Because of my allergies, I can't wear foundations or lotions on my face because my skin is so sensitive. I used to wear eye shadow, but I always thought it made me look like a clown. I didn't start wearing mascara and eyeliner until about 21 years ago when I had lost all my hair except my eyebrows and eyelashes. Being Chinese, I feel my eyes look so little and I like to make them look bigger with the eyeliner. Of course if I'm going hiking or working around the house, I don't put anything on. When I started dating my hubby, I never wore any kind of makeup and he still fell in love with me.

Beauty seen as a child vs. adult

Blog Prompt: How have your ideas of what is beautiful changed since you were a child?

When I was a child, I thought only store bought clothes were beautiful. At the time, my mother made most of my clothes. Other kids had name brand fancy clothes but not me. I used to tell my mother about some of them and she would try her best to make the same things for me. I even used to cut out pictures from magazines or store flyers to show her. Even though the home made clothes were close, they were not the same. Now that I look back as an adult, I see beauty in the love of my mother in trying to give me what I wanted. I realize now that we couldn't afford all of those clothes and how much time and sacrifices my parents made so that I could have what I did have. That love for me is what I think beautiful is now.

I also thought curly hair was the most beautiful hair ever, especially hair that was as dark as mine. I was the only Chinese girl in any of my classes and since I was the oddball, I was made fun of most of the time. Now as an adult, I see things much differently. Years ago I lost all of my hair and told it would never grow back (but they were wrong). Now I just appreciate having hair and I don't care if it is curly or straight or even what color it is. I don't mind now that I'm the different one in a crowd because I am proud of my heritage.

Favorite Patriotic Song

Blog Prompt: Do you have a favorite patriotic song? Share it with us...we'd love to hear it!

I think my favorite patriotic song is Lee Greenwood's God Bless the USA. When we went to China 7 years ago for a month tour, I really missed the US and that song ran through my head a lot. China was a great place to visit but there was no place like home. We take so much for granted in our country while people in other countries don't have the freedoms and quality of life that we have. It made me look at my own country with different eyes and I truly feel lucky to live here. I have tried to share this with my students and hope that someday they will come to appreciate the US the way that I do. So whenever I hear this song, I get kind of misty eyed and choked up but it is my favorite patriotic song.

Definition of Beauty

Blog Prompt: Define the idea of beauty -- physical, artistic, natural, whatever...just talk about what you think is beautiful.

"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder." This saying first appeared in the 3rd century BC in Greek.The person who is widely credited with coining the saying in its current form is Margaret Wolfe Hungerford (née Hamilton), who wrote many books, often under the pseudonym of 'The Duchess'. In Molly Bawn, 1878, there's the line "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder."

This is definitely true in my house because my hubby and I have the hardest time agreeing on what would look beautiful in our home. You can count the decorations in our house and know how many times we've agreed on that. Nothing goes up that we both don't agree on so this can cause some heated discussion on the definition of beauty.

I love to see the natural beauty of our earth when I go hiking. It seems like everything around me is a miracle and I have such a small part in the big scheme of things. Sometimes when I hike I will come upon a magnificent view that will just take my breath away. It might be a mountain, or a blooming flower or a waterfall. I think even watching a bee at work is beautiful. I love to see the earth after a soft warm rain. Everything looks so shiny and fresh. We have so much beauty that surrounds us and many people don't take the time to look around them and enjoy life.

UFOs

Blog Prompt: Today is World UFO day. What do you think UFOs are? Do you believe in little green men?

I'm not sure that I know or that anyone knows. I'm sure there are unidentified flying objects but it could be atmospheric or government stuff. I don't think I believe in little green men but I like to wonder if there are other universes out there with living beings. Are they bigger or smaller than us? Are they like us or strange creatures like in the movies? I remember seeing movies back when I was young about the future and thought many things were impossible. I can't believe how much of that future has happened in my lifetime. Surely the people who make up this stuff have a foundation somewhere like a hint of the truth or knowledge of things in the wroks. Who would have thought computers would be in almost every household? Who would have imagined that cars would be able to park themselves? Who would have thought phones could be cell phones and show pictures? But then again, I even wonder what insects think about us or what do birds think when they watch us? I know, I'm just loony! I don't have any answers but I sure do have lots of questions!

My High School

Blog Prompt: What were your high school colors? Team names? Clubs you belong too? Did you graduate? What do you remember most about your graduation day?

I graduated from West Islip High School on Long Island, NY. Our colors were blue and gold and we were the Lions. I really don't remember this but I went to the school website and looked it up. High School sports didn't have as big a following on Long Island as they do down here in South Carolina. I belonged to the drama club and every year we put on about 3 productions. I really loved the musicals! I helped a lot making the sets, finding props, being an extra (I was one of the dancers in Romeo and Juliet) and turning the piano player's music. My favorite musical was Damn Yankees. The only thing about graduation day that I remember is that it took place in our football stadium (I didn't even know we had a football team!) and after about 1000 people graduated and we hurried inside the school, it poured down rain!

Teenage Meals

Blog Prompt: What typical evening meals did you eat as a teenager? Did your mother or father prepare them or did you? What was your favorite? Least favorite?

My dad was the one who cooked dinner every day and it was usually ready within 30 min. after I got home from school. We all ate together and then my dad had to leave for work. My sister cooked on Tuesdays when my dad went into work at 10am and came home early that night. She usually cooked macaroni and cheese every week! I'm not sure I had a favorite but we usually had Chinese food every night except on Tuesdays. On special holidays though my parents might cook lamb and I detested lamb. I still hate it to this day. I remember they served it with mint jelly that was bright green and I never understood why we ate something that tasted so bad you had to disguise it with this disgusting green jelly!

Teenage Music

Blog Prompt: Did you listen to a lot of music as a teenager? Did you have a stereo, radio, cd player or reel to reel? Who was your favorite music artist? Favorite song? Which one still moves you today?

The radio was my friend and music was part of my life (CD players didn't exist back then and cassette tapes were just coming into fashion)! I had been playing an accordion since I was 4 years old so this was my way of keeping in touch with what I considered "real" music. Let's face it: you couldn't play rock and roll or country music just right on an accordion! So, I taught myself how to play my sister's old guitar and my parents finally bought me a 12 string guitar. I was throroughly enthralled with John Denver! I loved all of his songs and played a lot of them on the guitar. My prom date even looked like John Denver! I was really upset when he died and I didn't realize how different his real life was compared to the imaginary life I pictured him having. I still like to listen to John Denver songs!

Childhood Television

Blog Prompt: Television.... Where would we be without television? Seriously though. Did you have a tv set while you were growing up? If not, did your neighbors or friends? If you did, what were some of the shows that were on and what were your favorites?

I remember watching TV when I was little just when color was introduced. The NBC peacock would have colorful feathers and my whole family loved to watch it (it didn't take much to amuse us!). I remember watching Lawrence Welk, Bonanza, and Walt Disney. I usually had to go to bed after Walt Disney. I didn't watch a lot of TV because if you had time to watch TV, then you had time to clean house.

After School Job

Blog Prompt: Did you have an after school job as a teenager? What kind of job was it? What were you paid? What is your best and worst memory of the job?

As soon as I was old enough, it was expected that I would work in the Chinese restaurant where my father was the maitre'd. Both of my older sisters worked there and so would I. Of course both of them understood Chinese and I didn't understand a word. I remember my middle sister even dating some of the waiters and I was so afraid my dad would fix me up with a guy who didn't speak English. I worked as a cashier and had real life training in giving change. There was no calculator that figured out the change and you had to count backwards to the amount given. Of course this went to the waiter who would catch any mistakes I made. I probably got paid an even number right above minimum wage because I believe I was paid in cash each night (which was probably under the table but what did I care at the time). I felt very awkward and had no self confidence so I truly hated the job every day I worked there, which I did 2 nights a week for 2 years. I even worked there the first summer I was home from college which was the motivation to get my own summer job 800 miles away near my college so I wouldn't have to do this every summer. I remember a cute guy coming in to pick up his take-out order and he asked me what time did I get off work. At that moment my dad was right there and said she gets off work when I tell her to and she goes home with me! Ahh, so much for romance.

My First Car

Blog Prompt: Did you have your own car as a teenager or did you have to use the family car? What kind was it? If a family car, were you responsible to pay for the gas when you used it? How often were you allowed to use it? What restrictions, if any, were on it? If your own, did you purchase it yourself or was it a gift? How much did it cost and who paid the insurance on it?

My sister bought a red four door Chevy Malibu, brand new in 1970. My sister died when I started tenth grade and my dad drove her car until I got my driver's license. My parents paid the insurance on it and I drove my mom around in it. In my senior year, I was allowed to drive my car sometimes but I hated to use gas because I knew how hard my dad worked and hated to be a burden on him. My mom would visit friends at night and I drove her there and picked her up when she was ready to come home but I was a homebody and didn't go out at night. I also wasn't allowed out after dark unless it was a church function. When I was in my second year of college, I was allowed to have a car on campus and my parents gave me that car. Sometime during college I had to have the engine rebuilt but other than that it was in perfect shape. I had that car when I got married in 1982 and we drove it for about 6 years after that before we ever bought a new car. That car was built like a tank and had a lot of sentimental value to me. It was really hard for me to sell it but after 18 years, it was time to move on.

Learning to Drive

Blog Prompt: Did you learn to drive when you were a teenager? Who taught you? If at school, what kind of driver's ed was it? If a friend or parent, where did you go to learn? What was the worse part about learning to drive?

I learned to drive when I was in 11th grade and my father taught me. My mother was the one that I drove around for practice but that was after my father taught me the basics. Even though my mother kept renewing her license, she never drove. I never saw her drive when she was alive. My parents did pay for a driving school to teach me how to parallel park because their nerves couldn't handle it. Then I took driver's ed my senior year because it gave us a discount on our insurance but I hated that class. My teacher always made me nervous and ridiculed me because I had my license already and he thought I would act like I knew everything. I hated driving and still do so if I can get out of it I do. My husband drives most of the time when we are together unless we are on a trip and I have to give him a rest. Of course I drive to work, the grocery store, library etc. but when I'm hiking with a group, I usually carpool.

The worst part about learning to drive was when I had a learner's permit at the same time I really liked this guy. He came home with me after school and then my mom and I drove him home later. As I was backing out of his driveway, he was waving to me (or so I thought) so I waved back just as I backed into a parked cement truck. Obviously he was not "waving to me" but instead was frantically trying to get me to stop. I was so embarrassed and never had much to do with him again.

High School Best Friend

Blog Prompt: Did you have a lot of friends in high school or just one or two very close friends? What did you and your friends do for fun? Are you still in contact with any of them?

I had some friends, but only one Best Friend. Her name was Bunny and we still exchange Christmas cards once a year. Even though I couldn't attend her wedding because I was in my first year of college, my mother and sister helped Bunny make her wedding gown. Bunny drove a purple volkswagon bug and helped me learn to be happy with myself. She didn't worry about what other people thought and just worked on making herself proud of herself. Bunny lived with her divorced mother, younger brother, and single uncle. Bunny accepted me for who I was and with all the craziness in my life. At the time, my older sister had just passed away and my parents were extremely overprotective of me. We even double dated for the prom which made my parents feel better. I dont' know how I would have survived high school without Bunny.

Teenage Achievements/Mistakes

Blog Prompt: Moving on in life, as a teenager what do you feel were your greatest achievements and worse mistakes? Have these achievements and/or mistakes helped to make you a better person? Or did they hinder you as you proceeded into adulthood?

The greatest achievement I made (as I look back now, not as I saw it then) was being a good friend to others. I was always there to listen and be there for others. At the time I was lonely because I wasn't allowed to date and my parents were strict but as I look back now, I was the shoulder for both guys and girls to cry on, lean on when they needed help, or someone to depend on. I'm glad that I was there for them. I feel I was even instrumental in keeping a friend from committing suicide (which I didn't find out until 30 years later).

The biggest mistake I made was for always wishing for tomorrow to come. I always thought the future would be better than the here and now. I wish I had enjoyed the present at the time I was experiencing it. I try to tell teenagers today that same thing but like me, they weren't willing to believe that. I think this mistake though helped me achieve my goal of teaching. I was always striving hard to get good grades because I knew that without scholarships, I would never be able to go to college.

Childhood Pet

Blog Prompt: As a child did you have any exotic (i.e. those not indigenous to your area) or unusual pets? If not, did you have any pets at all? What kind? Did you give them standard pet names or come up with unusual and unique names?

My parents raised German Shepherds so we didn't have any exotic pets. The only thing exotic about them was their names (or it sounded like it to me). The oldest was Duchess, her daughter was Princess, and then our albino German Shepherd was Empress. Empress and I grew up together and Empress was always stealing my ice cream cone!

Chores

Blog Prompt: Did you have specified chores as a child? If so, what were they? Were you given an allowance for completing them? How much? What chores did you feel were unfair? Which ones did you enjoy the most?

I remember that I had to make my bed and clean my room before I could go play. As I got older, it was my job to wash the dinner dishes, take out the trash, and feed the dog. Keep in mind that when I was teenager, I was the only child in the house so I got stuck with it all. I also had to walk the dog in the morning, when I got home from school, after dinner, and before I went to bed. On Saturdays I had to clean the bathroom, vaccuum and mop the basement, and dust all the furniture. When it snowed in the winter, I had to help shovel the driveway (boy, I don't miss that in South Carolina!). I didn't get an allowance but if I ever wanted anything or needed anything, my parents pretty much got me whatever it was. I learned early not to take advantage of this because I worried about how hard my dad worked. My older sisters would get me things if my parents could not afford to get it for me.

I hated doing all the chores and used to think I was like Cinderella. I used to think I was being abused and used as slave labor. I had to do all those chores before I could play with my friends or go anywhere and I thought that was not fair (until I had my own kids)! Obviously I did not enjoy any of them! I still hate cleaning the house!

12 years ago I hired a maid to clean my house every other week and just recently cancelled it because I retired. My house is much messier and dirtier than it ever was!

Childhood Collection

Blog Prompt: Did you collect anything as a child? Why or why not? What was the significance of your collection and where did you procure it? Do you still have any or all of the collection now?

I believe the only things I collected as a child were books. Books were my escape to worlds that I thought I would never get to see. Both of my parents valued education and I was expected to make all As with no excuses. My father worked in a Chinese restaurant and my mother never worked a day in her life. She didn't even know how to pay bills or drive a car but she loved to read. She was a clean freak so clutter was not encouraged but collecting books was allowed. My father had one day off each week and that day was spent grocery shopping and mowing the lawn or whatever else needed to be done so there was no money for extras but I had found the public library as a small child and this was my favorite place. When I was also allowed to join the book clubs at school, I thought I had hit the jackpot and my collection grew. When I went away to college, my parents sold the house and I have no idea what happened to the books. After I got married, I found out my hubby collects books too and we have boxes and boxes of books as well as shelves of books practically in every room except the kitchen and dining room. Maybe one day I will open a used book store!

How Prices Have Changed!

Blog Prompt: How about we start out this week with a little research by finding the cost of a week's subscription to a newspaper, a loaf of bread, a gallon of milk, a pound of chicken or ground beef, a gallon of gasoline, the average cost of a house, the average cost of an automobile and one item of your choosing when you were born, as well as at ages 3, 5, 10 and now.

1959
Newspaper:
Bread:$.20
Gallon of milk:$1.01
Lb. of ground beef:
Gallon of gas: $.25
House: $30,000
Car:$2,132
Postage stamp: $.04

1962
Newspaper:
Bread:$.20
Gallon of Milk:$.49
Lb. of ground beef:$.35
Gallon of gas: $.31
House: $18,200
Car:$2,500
Postal stamp: $.04

1964
Newspaper:
Bread:
Gallon of Milk:$.95
Lb. of ground beef:
Gallon of gas: $.30
House: $20,500
Car:
Postal stamp: $.05

1969
Newspaper:
Bread:
Gallon of Milk: $1.10
Lb. of ground beef:
Gallon of gas: $.35
House:$27,900
Car:
Postal stamp: $.06

2007
Newspaper: $.50
Bread: $2.29
Gallon of Milk: $2.99
Lb. of ground beef: $1. 93
Gallon of gas:$2.71
House: $150,000
Car: $25,000
Postal stamp: $.41

Those were the good old days!

Weekend news: We had a wonderful weekend in the Smokies! We went to see the synchronous fireflies which happens once a year and only 2 places in the US. Then on Friday we did a 10 mile round trip hike up Mt. LeConte (so I could get a new tshirt from the lodge and its only sold there so I have to go up there to get it!). On Saturday we were just lazy and had a cookout by the river and played in the river (aka wash the stink off!). I woke up very early Sunday morning and for an hour sat on a rock in the middle of the river and enjoyed the solitude and beauty of God's wonderful garden.

Childhood Bedroom

As a child did you have your own bedroom or did you have to share? What was it like? Did you spend a lot of time playing in there or was it reserved for sleeping?

Since I was the baby of 3 girls, I was always the odd man out. I remember my mother telling me about how at one point I had a room all to myself but I cried so much that I was moved in with one of my sisters. After that I was fine. Even when my middle sister got married, my oldest sister and I shared a room. I didn't have my own room until my oldest sister died. I remember playing a lot in my bedroom (and basement and backyard). I pretty much had the run of the house but as I've said before, I was pretty spoiled.

Transportation

You are between 5 and 10. You are going on vacation (or moving). What form of transportation was used to get there? Did it take long? And what did you do to entertain yourself while traveling?

Every summer we would go on vacation to visit my relatives in South Carolina. My dad worked in a Chinese restaurant in New York and only got one week off a year. We would pack up our car and head to the sunny south. As soon as I was able to read, I remember reading in the car. Whenever I had a book, I could get lost in fantasyland. In fact, I still am that way now and love reading whenever I'm in a car, plane, boat, or train. If I could figure out how to read and ride a bicycle at the same time I would do it!

Embarrassing Baby Story

Blog Prompt: We all have had stories told to us about our younger years. Fun, silly or embarassing things we have done. So today, think about a story that you were told about yourself that happened before you were 3 years old.

First of all, I'm glad you didn't say before you were 10 because that would have been even more embarrassing! I know my family still talks about how spoiled I was as a baby (in fact, at 47 I think I'm still spoiled!). My mother thought I wouldn't ever learn to walk or talk because my sister's carried me everywhere and I never wanted for anything. When I was little I was a daddy's girl (and I still am) but my father worked in a restaurant from 3 in the afternoon to 2 in the morning. When it was bed time, I would scream and cry and refuse to go to sleep. My sisters would walk me and rock me and do all they could to shut me up. My mother would escape to the next door neighbor's house (but she could still hear me!). They said that I was a poster child for justified child abuse. I would continue until my father came home and then I would fall asleep. They did all they could to get me tired during the day, not let me nap, everything they could think of but nothing worked.

Childhood Memory

Blog Prompt: What was your first memory as a child and why do you think it stands out in your mind?

This was hard because a few things came to mind and then I would think of another. Which one came first? I thought that my dad trying to teach me to ride a bike was the earliest but then I just remembered another one. I remember sitting in the car in the middle of the back seat between both older sisters. They both complained that I was sitting right on top of them. I guess at that age I was a cuddler and I loved to sit really close to them. Since they were 10 and 12 years older than me, I guess they wanted a little space! The other thing I remember is being on King St. with my dad running beside my little red bike trying to teach me to balance and ride solo. I'm not sure when I actually learned but I really hated when he let go. Of course that little red bike was HUGE at that time.

Something Made Me Smile

Blog Prompt: Since today is Teriffic Thursday, we need something for a positive attitude today. Tell about something that made you smile yesterday or today.

It seems like I am always behind a day with my blog lately but I hope to do better once I'm done working. Yesterday was the high school graduation. It wasn't just any graduation but it was my last graduation I would have to attend. Now, that made me smile! In fact, everyone was laughing about how happy I seeemed to be. This was my last batch of seniors and I have to admit that some of the kids were really special to me. 2 of the mentally disabled students double dated with my hubby and me last year. An autistic girl decided at the last minute not to walk at graduation because it was too much for her (and I'm proud of her for being a self advocate and making a decision that worked best for her even though it was hard to do this). Another girl, who is learning disabled, worked as an intern in my husband's court last year. They are all so appreciative of everything I have done for them these past 4 years which of course only made me want to do more for them. But it is time for all of us to grow up and move on to new adventures.

About myself

This is a layout about myself that I did last August. This is for a challenge made by Karen. Check it out on Karen's Blog.

If I were a child / I Wish I Could Learn...

Blog Prompt: If you could be child for one day, how old would you be and what would you do?

If I could be a child, I would be around 5 years old. I remember being the center of attention and loving my family so much. I didn't seem to have any worries or concerns because I was well cared for and loved. I was also very spoiled (so they tell me!) and I never wanted for anything. I would go on vacation with my parents and my 2 sisters because we very rarely got to do that. My dad worked 6 days a week in a Chinese restaurant and so we never went away except one week a year for a vacation. We usually drove to SC (from NY) to visit my aunt. I loved being with my family!

Blog Prompt: I wish I could learn..... because.....

I wish I could learn Cantonese before my dad dies. I am the only one who can not speak Chinese in my family. My parents and my sisters, who were 10 and 12 years older than me, all spoke Cantonese. When I started kindegarden, the teachers told my parents that my broken English was unacceptable and that they needed to stop speaking Chinese to me. Of course my parents trusted these educated people and so I'm the only one who can't speak Chinese. Whenever we visited relatives as I grew up, they laughed at me for not knowing what they said. I always had to have everything translated to me. It was bad enough that I was the only Chinese student in school which made me different and a target for bullying but then to be made fun of when I was with relatives was really hard for me. This caused me to resent being Chinese and I tried to be as American as I could. Now that I'm older and wiser, I embrace my uniqueness. I have more confidence and self esteem than I did growing up and I would like to find my roots. In 2000 I went to China for the first time to see the country where my father and sisters were born. It was a really wonderful feeling for me because for the first time in my life, I wasn't different! Now I want to learn the language of my father before he dies so we could have a conversation in it like I never did as a child.

Memorial Day

Blog Prompt: How does your city celebrate this day or do you do anything special? Do you know anyone who has served in the military? If so, let us know so that we can honor all of those who serve their country.

For the first time, our neighboring town is hosting Freedom Weekend Aloft which is a hot air ball festival with rides, food, and concerts. We haven't gone yet but I'm hoping to talk my hubby into going. They expect around 50,000 people and he hates traffic, so I don't know if we will get to go.

This weekend we went to Bryson City, NC camping with 18 other friends. We did some hiking and sitting around the campfire. It was a wonderful way to celebrate the weekend. The weather was perfect too which is unusual for us since there are usually rain showers when we go there.

My father was in the Army and my father in law was in the Air Force during WWII, my cousin and brother in law were in the Army during the Vietnam War, and my husband was in the Navy during the Vietnam War. During the war my father in law was shot down and severely injured but survived. He lived for about 50 years with major things missing in his abdomen area and the doctors were never sure how he was still alive. I guess he just had a stubborn will to live. At least I know where my husband got his stubborness!

I Wish

Blog Prompt: I wish I could see...... because.....

I wish I could see my mother and sister because I didn't tell them enough that I loved them. In my heart I know they knew that I loved them but now I'm older and wiser and would love to see them face to face and tell them. I was only 14 when my sister died at 27. I was young, spoiled, and pretty self centered at the time but I was very close to her. I think that is why I don't remember much of my high school years (besides that it was 34 years ago! lol) but I think I grieved for her and worried about my parents coping. I look back now at all the sacrifices that my mother made for me and I never really appreciated it until she was gone. After I was married I told her thank you for many things but I don't think I ever really told her thanks for all of the things she taught me, gave up fore me, and caring for me as I grew up. It's been almost 18 years since she passed away but I still miss at.

The Best Teacher

Blog Prompt: Describe the best teacher you ever had.

The best teacher I've ever had was Lesley Wheatley (now Lesley Quast), a professor at Furman University. She saw things in me that I didn't know was there. I was pretty shy and had very little confidence. Growing up sheltered and spoiled, I felt that I really wasn't capable of doing much but I always dreamed of being a teacher and was determined to achieve this dream. I loved every class she taught. She was so calm and assured that I wanted to model myself after her. By encouraging me to observe other teachers and have hands on experiences, it was her gentle way of teaching me. I was always in awe of her knowledge and never felt confident enough to have in depth conversations with her so I remember standing apart from the crowd that always surrounded her. Yet, she never gave up on me and always included me whenever she could. In my senior year of college, I almost gave up my dream but she would not let me and now I'm actually getting ready to retire from teaching. We still keep in touch which is amazing to me and now I'm able to talk to her with more confidence. In fact, she sent an email letting me know how far I've come since way back then and it really warmed my heart! I have won some teaching awards over the years and I have tried to thank her for all that she has done, but I'm not sure I will ever be able to show my appreciation for the chances that she has given me. All I can say is: Thank You Dr. Quast!

Yucky Food

Blog Prompt: I wish I didn't have to eat...... I don't like this food because.....

I wish I didn't have to eat pasta. I don't like this food because I LOVE this food! But it makes me gain weight. I could eat pasta 3 times a day every day of the week. I love it in any way, shape, or form. I like it cold or hot. It can be covered in sauce or mixed in a salad. I should have been born Italian instead of Chinese! If we go out to eat and there is something with pasta on the menu (and it doesn't cost an arm and a leg), I will probably order that dish. My hubby says I'm so predictable. For some reason, the calories go straight to the stomach! Now that I've written this stuff I'm hungry for pasta and it's only 5:35am!

Falling Asleep

Blog Prompt: What do you think about when you can't fall asleep?

When I have trouble falling asleep, usually my thoughts are all in a jumble. I start making lists of things I need to do, lists of things I want to do, lists of things I DON'T want to do, lists of things I want other people to do! I guess you get the picture. But if something has upset me earlier in the day, I start having pretend conversations and rehearsing things I want to say. Of course this just makes me even more upset. When I try to force myself not to think of these thoughts, I try to count backwards from 1000. But I usually get sidetracked and find myself going back to the other thoughts. I hate when this happens!

Free Entertainment

Blog Prompt: Tell about something you do for entertainment that doesn't cost any money.

1. Hiking and camping! Since I bought my hiking boots 10 years ago, and my daypack about 15 years ago and my tent about 8 years ago, I don't consider that as spending any money. Of course we do use gas to get us to the trailhead but other than that we don't spend any money. AND since I have a new car that gets 50 miles to the gallon, I don't think I will count that cost.
2. I love to garden. For me it is instant gratification because I can see the progress I have made when I weed or if I plant things. I always feel so proud when I get compliments on my garden.
3. Playing with my worms. I have 2 huge compost bins full of worms. I feed them food scraps and shredded paper. Then when I have time, I separate the compost (worm poop) and spread it around my flowers.
4. I love to sit in my "play room" and look through the window as the birds play in my water garden.
5. I love to go to the library and check out books at least twice a week.
6. My hubby and I walk about 3 miles in the local park each day. We have no phone, no computer, no TV, and no interruptions. This is 100% quality time together.
7. I love to read. I read at breakfast, in the evenings, and I have to read before I go to sleep or I can't sleep.
8. Listen to free podcasts that I download from Itunes.

Wonderful Weekend

If you DID want to be famous, what would you like to be famous for doing?

If I was famous, I would love to be famous for being a master gardener. I'm still an amateur and learning and making lots of mistakes every day. I love to look at all these famous gardens and wish that mine could look like that. Of course I don't have a whole crew getting paid megabucks and unlimited resources to buy plants. Instead I'm doing all of this myself.

But...I had a wonderful weekend!

Saturday morning I went out and spread about 10 bales of pine needles after breakfast. When I came in for a drink, my hubby actually volunteered to trim some of the bushes for me. Then he even got the hand saw and trim dozens of limbs for me that I couldn't cut with my hand pruner. Of course there was a wedding going on across the street so I couldn't drag ethe debris to the street but that was okay. Then we took a break and went to lunch where one of my students was working and he was thrilled. After lunch I scrapped 3 pages that I've been thinking about for a couple of days and then worked on my afghan. I watched the Nascar race with my hubby in the evening (well, kind of. I read a book and crocheted at the same time).

Sunday morning I went out at 6:30am and dragged all that debris to the road. Around 7:45 I dragged my hubby out of the bed to take me to breakfast. After breakfast I went out and worked in the jungle...I mean garden for a couple of more hours. By then it had gotten too hot to do any more so I think I'm done for the weekend. This afternoon we are going to a pig roast with my hiking club at one of the hiker's homes. I learned how to make this easy-to-make great spicy dip (VERY easy or I wouldn't do it!) that I'm bringing to the party with the Frito scoops.

I love the feeling that I've accomplished things and can actually see it. I have a feeling this will be a great week and I'm in such a good mood. Not to mention that I will be retired in 11 more work days! (Had to slip that in. In fact I try to slip the number in every conversation I'm having! I'm probably getting obnoxious about it but I don't care! lol)

Money, Power, or Fame

Blog Prompt: Which is least important to you--money, power, fame--and why?

Fame is the least important to me. I guess I'm kind of shy which is why I love the internet. I don't have to come face to face with people and can just be myself. When I'm around people I worry that I'm talking to much or I look stupid or I sound stupid. (You get the picture.) Money is important because I like to eat and travel and read and play on my computer. Without money I couldn't do those things. Power in the way of control is important to me. I'm a control freak and I have to plan in detail about things. I have lists to make sure I do the things that need to be done. I have to know the plan before hand or I go crazy so when my husband wants to do things spur of the moment, I get antsy. Since I will never be famous, I'm happy that fame is the least important to me.

This Week's Good Thing

Blog Prompt: Tell about something that made you feel good this week.

I was feeling whine-y yesterday and grumping about my bad day on Tuesday to my assistant early before school started. I was worried about what kind of day it would be when my friend came in to say good morning. All of a sudden she puts a gift bag on my desk and a card. She just decided to give me a gift and thank me for being her friend. Inside was a glass jar full of ...chocolate kisses! Now folks, you can't beat a load of chocolate kisses when you are feeling blah! I ate them all day long! Can you believe how sweet she is? All year long she is dropping little gifts on my desk and I just don't think she knows how much they mean to me. She is always so thoughtful and caring and I wish I could be that way. I want to be and think about giving little gifts like that but I never actually do it. She is always giving little gifts and getting cards for people to make their day brighter. I'm so thankful that God brought her into my circle of friends!

5 Annoying Things

Blog Prompt: List the 5 things that annoy you the most. If you are like me, this can change from day to day, but tell me the recent annoyances that have just gotten on your nerves.

1. People who don't show up on time. I was told to expect the pine needle delivery truck between 2 and 4 pm so I got off from work early and waited for them. At 4:30, I called the boss who apologized and said they were on their way. At 5pm, I called again and asked from what state were they leaving from. He said they would be there in ten minutes. At 5:30, I called and said that they could keep them, but I was tired of waiting. The boss insisted they were nearby and would be there in about ten minutes. Finally at 5:50 they showed up. I could barely speak to the person who of course blamed it on the boss.
2. Inconsiderate people in parking lots. As I drive down the aisle to look for a parking space, there are usually people who walk right down the middle of the aisle blocking your car.
3. People who pee on public toilet seats without cleaning it up. Enough said.
4. Litter bugs. I have seen people throw trash on the ground without even thinking of picking it up and throwing it away.
5. TV commercial volume. The commercials come on between shows so you have to lower the volume. Then when the show comes back on you have to raise the volume.

Friend Qualities

Blog Prompt: What is most important to you in a friend--loyalty, generosity, honesty--why?

I think honesty is most important to me. If I know my friend is honest, this leads to trust which is extremely important to me. I think that is why the only person I really trust with my whole heart is my husband. He is also my best friend. I know that he will be honest with me, even if it hurts. I can always count on him to be there for me. I know he will not lie or cheat on me. We have both been let down by people and agree that honesty is what makes our marriage so wonderful (going on 25 years this June). I think loyalty and generosity comes after honesty because honesty has to be established first, at least for me.

Foolish Thing

Blog Prompt: What do you think is the most foolish thing you’ve done in your life?

This was hard because I've done so many foolish things in my life! My hubby and I were actually debating this yesterday when we were hiking. It's amazing how different our views were on this. I think the most foolish thing we've done was many years ago we went on a tour in Thailand with complete strangers. I found this ad in a paper that said this company would take us to the Bridge Over the River Kwai for a really cheap price. (I know, you get what you pay for!). This lady we met and the two of us get in van with 3 young people we didn't know. They barely spoke English and we didn't speak any Thai. So, they took us to a couple of stores we didn't want to go and finally took us to the Bridge. On the way back, they took us to a couple of more stores we didn't want to shop at. Finally they took us back to the hotel. Now that I look back, I think how stupid it was to get in a van with complete strangers in a foreign country with no one knowing where we were going or who we were with. The hotel saw us arrive back and then warned us about doing this because some women at the time were being kidnapped and being sold into slavery. The only thing that saved us was that maybe we were old and fat and ugly. LOL

Above is a layout:

( http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=187799&cat=500&ppuser=40723)

about what I did yesterday for Mother's Day. It was a glorious wonderful day!

Dreaming of the Mountains

Blog Prompt: Where would you prefer to be right now--mountains, desert, beach--and why?

Right now I would love to be in the mountains hiking. I am not a beach or desert person because I can't take the heat. I don't sweat very much and just get overheated, red faced, and almost pass out. I'm not a sun worshipper. Lupus runs in the family and the doctors recommended that I stay out of the sun as much as possible. Of course I garden, so I get my share of the sun.

It has been a stressful week and I don't see things getting any better. I only have 17 more work days until I retire but they are chock full of "stuff I gotta do"! I have final exams coming up so I also need to make the exams and review sheets. On top of that, my students don't want to be here and behavior is not the best. I also have to pack up 28 years of teaching and find a place to store the "stuff" (not junk, as my hubby calls it). So, I'm thinking of escaping to the beautiful mountains in my mind.

I would love to be in the mountains no matter what the weather is. On sunny days, everything looks so wonderful and fresh in the spring. New buds are starting and the earth's rebirth is all around. I feel so alive and in awe of God's creation. None of my trivial problems seem important when I look at all that God has done. I believe if he can perform all these miracles in nature, I know he is taking good care of me and I just need to trust him enough to let it happen, his way and not my way.

My Mom

Blog Prompt: Describe your relationship with your mom or a mother figure.

Growing up, I didn't like my mother. I loved her but I didn't like her. She was stricter than all my friend's moms. She was older than the other moms too. I didn't think she was beautiful like the other younger moms either. She yelled at me when I did wrong. She was home when I got home from school and knew everything I did and who I was with. All of the other kids in high school were drinking, smoking, dating since they were 12, having sex (so they said), and just having fun! I wasn't allowed to do any of those things. Can you imagine!

I was excited about going 800 miles away to college and getting away from my mom. I ended up writing to her almost every day for the four years I was in college and she saved all of those letters. I also called home every weekend for all four years too.

When I got married, my mother made my wedding gown and it was beautiful. I then found myself going to my mom for all sorts of advice. She helped me when I was angry with my children or when I was upset about life. I counted on all of the knowledge that I resented as a young girl.

When she passed away in 1989, I was devastated. I hope she knew how much I loved her. I didn't tell her enough or tell how much and wish I did. Even though we ended each phone call with saying I Love You, I wonder why I didn't say or do more. I hope everyone who has a mother doesn't just say the words but really show you mean it while you can.

TV Mothers

Blog Prompt: Since Mother's Day is approaching, who do you think was the best TV mom and why?

1. Donna Reed
2. Caroline on Little House on the Prairie
3. Mother on Father Knows Best
4. Mother on Happy Days
5. Mother on the Partridge Family
6. Mother on Family Ties
   
   Those are the mothers I enjoyed watching on TV. I am having a hard time picking the best but I remember wishing my mom was one of those. Since my father was 40 when I was born, people would think my parents were my grandparents. I wanted a young mother like my friends had. If I had to choose one, I would pick the mother of the Partridge Family. She always seemed like one of the kids but still the adult. I thought she was cool and would be a lot of fun to be around.

What Makes Me Feel Safe

Blog Prompt: What Makes You Feel Safe?

1. My husband. Whenever I am with him, I feel loved and secure. He encourages me to do the things I want to do even if I’m feeling too scared to do it. His unconditional love gives me the strength to enjoy life to the fullest.
2. Light. Some of you know that I am scared of the dark if I’m alone. As long as I’m with someone, I don’t mind the dark as much.
3. Financial Stability. I have to be able to pay my bills and not worry about this. I had to do too much of this early in our marriage and maybe this worry is for young people. I’m getting too old to have to deal with this worry.
4. Knowledge. I can’t stand not knowing what is going to happen. I am such a type “A” personality that I can’t stand not knowing what to expect. I have to have organization or I feel off balanced.

Blog Prompt: What do you think about ghosts?

I believe that there are spirits that tend to make themselves known at different times in my life.

My sister passed away when I started 10th grade and we were very close even though she was 12 years older than me. At the time I remember a very sickly hospital smell that I only associate with her death. I have never smelled in again in the hospital or any medical center. During important events in my life (high school graduation, college graduation, wedding etc. ) I have had that smell appear again and I'm the only one who can smell it. When I was younger, it scared me but now it doesn't. I believe my sister was there to share in these special times.

I believe there is a spirit attached to my house (the former owner died of cancer in my house). I have been awakened to someone's breath on my left cheek as I lay in bed even though my hubby sleeps on my right side. Things get missing and then we find them in an unlikely place and I'm sure the mischievous spirit is messing with my mind. We think the spirit protected us from up-to-no-good kitchen painters. All of the bulbs in the lights dimmed to where the orange element was the only thing glowing. In the livingroom the lights were so bright you couldn't stand in there. Immediately we called an electrician who came out to check so we wouldn't have a fire but he said this was impossible because a 60 watt bulb can only burn 60 watts. It scared the painters so bad that they left and wouldn't return. Right after they left the house, all the bulbs returned to normal and this hasn't ever happened again. That was about 8 years ago. I'm not scared though because if he wanted to hurt us, he would have a long time ago. We've lived in this house for almost 12 years.

Favorite Cartoon/Comic Strip Character

Blog Prompt: Who are your 5 Favorite Comic/Cartoon characters?

1. Casper the Friendly Ghost - since I'm afraid of the dark, I always hoped there was a Casper out there to take care of me
2. Charlie Brown - I always felt sorry for him
3. Garfield - I love his attitude!
4. Ziggy - I'm a sucker for a sad story.
5. Cathy - I can relate to a lot of her situations.

5 Dishes

Blog Prompt: You have heard that the President and his wife of an obscure country is coming to visit and picked you (and your family if you want) to have dinner with. You can decide to cook for them or order in or take them out. What 5 dishes would you want them to taste? They can be any part of a meal (appetizers, main dish, vegetables, salads, desserts) or all of one type (all deserts for example).

I am not a good cook, in fact I'm not much of a cook at all. I don't enjoy cooking but can if I have to. That being said, I would definitely take them out for dinner or order in for the main dishes. The 5 dishes I would want them to taste would be:

1. Pasta salad (I use tri colored rotini, cucumbers, tomatoes, green onions, olives, oregano, basil, red cider vinegar, salt)
2. Fried Green Tomatoes (I never had them before I married my hubby but I love them! These would have to be cooked by someone else.)
3. Baked Ziti or Lasagna with lots of cheese (Have be cooked by someone else!)
4. Kentucky Fried Chicken Hot Wings that are freshly cooked.
5. Ice Cream Banana Split (Baskin Robbins with the following ice cream: Cherry Jubilee, Jamoca, Butter Pecan)

Okay, now I have to go to work and I just finished a bowl of cereal but I'm SO hungry all of a sudden!

Important Occupations

Blog Prompt: You have been appointed the head of the Department of Labor and plan to set salaries according to how important an occupation is. What do you think are the top 5 most important occupations?

1. Dentist/Doctor - if you ever had a toothache or backache, you would agree!
2. Police - Every world needs law and order.
3. Sanitation Workers - Definite must!
4. Farmers - I like to eat even more than I like hiking!
5. Comedians (Life isn't worth anything if you can't laugh about it, right?)

5 Must See Places

Blog Prompt: You won the travel lotto! You will get an all expense paid trip for you and your family to 5 places anywhere in the world. List the 5 "Must See" places in the world you would go see.

1. A month-long tour of China. I went in 2000 and went to Beijing, Shanghai, 7 day cruise down the Yangtze river and the new dam (before it all was filled with water), Xian, and Hong Kong. It was fantastic and I would do it again in a heart beat!
2. Macchu Picchu in Peru. I would love to hike up the Inca Trail
3. A tour of Greece - it looks magical and I've never been there. I'd love to see all the ruins that I've studied about it college.
4. Ireland and Scotland - I love the accents; I love looking at pictures of the scenery; I want to see the castles; and I love bagpipes!
5. New Zealand - I loved Lord of the Rings; I heard they don't have poisonous snakes; it looks magical; and it is as far away from home as I can get without leaving the earth.