Category Archives: Mixed Bag

Quotable

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I had every intention of writing a “real” post today, but it’s just not happening.  You’ll have to hold your breath in anticipation.  (Except don’t–I don’t want you to die!)

Instead, I’ll direct you to a site that IS regularly updated.  For some time I’ve been flirting with creating a site exclusively to quotes.  I’ve diligently collected them for years now, but even putting them on this blog hasn’t helped me to find the one that I’m looking for months or years down the line.

So, Consider This Quote does exactly that.  It’s easier to search (since it’s just quotes), and bonus: I’ve added pictures for each quote!  If you have quotes you love, you can add them, too.

FQF: Slumber Party Edition

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Tonight I’m co-hosting a sleepover for the 5th and 6th grade girls at the church.  Should be fun!  Here’s some related questions…

1.  What memory stands out from 5th grade?

When my mom subbed for my class.  I was often quiet in class, but I was especially quiet that day.  Don’t think she’s seen me that quiet either before that or since.

2.  What memory stand out from 6th grade?

Teasing a girl in our class (that had previously been her friend) and defacing a picture of hers.  We were totally mean, and I have no idea why.  I joined in, and for that, I was definitely guilty.  These were rough years for me in that respect, which is why I love to work with girls that age now.

3.  What was your favorite slumber party activity?

Besides gossiping about boys?  Painting our nails.  Actually, we could do them both together.  We would use dry erase boards to write out lists of boys, or write “I love Tommy” and to play M*A*S*H.  Other than the possibility of painting nails, none of that will be happening tonight.

4.  What was your favorite color to paint your nails?

I can’t remember what it was called, but it was some blueish-purpleish color, I think.  I can’t quite picture it either, but I remember almost using up the entire bottle.  Also popular was painting one part of the nail one color and another a complimentary color.

5.  What is your worst slumber party memory?

I remember staying up ALL NIGHT for my 11th birthday with one of the other girls there.  Not a good idea–about 10 AM the next day I crashed and ended up sick.  That won’t be happening either, moms, if you’re reading this.

FQF: Halloween-Themed Questions

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1.  What was your favorite Halloween costume?

I remember really liking being Rapunzel in 3rd grade, with my hair of yarn.  Mom actually made all my costumes growing up, and I always loved that.

2.  What’s your favorite candy?

Snickers.  I don’t feel bad digging through a child’s candy stash for a Snickers (or two, or…).

3.  What are you dressing up as this year?

I don’t dress up for Halloween, and haven’t in a very long time.  I’m actually not a big fan of costumes.  If I had to, though?  I think I’d go all-out princess.  Lame, I know, but who doesn’t want to be a princess?

4.  What are your Halloween plans?

I’m helping with my church’s Party on the Block Saturday evening.  I’m glad that we’re not doing it on Halloween this year, because I’ve not given out candy on Halloween since I’ve lived here, but I get to do that this year.  I imagine there will be quite a few kids coming by, since there are a lot of townhouses in a very short amount of space…an easy target for optimum candy acquisition.

5.  Do you like haunted houses?

That’s a big fat no.  Actually, I don’t like being scared in any capacity.  If a friend scares me, it only happens once before they realize how serious I am when I say not to scare me.

FQF: Food and Hammer

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1.  What food did you used to dislike but now enjoy?

Just the other day a friend made me pizza that I used to hate–I disliked all veggies on pizza. This pizza had spinach, tomato, feta, chicken, and the like on it…and I loved it. I’ve been more and more adventurous with food, and for the most part, I’ve been liking what I eat.

2.  Where is your hammer, and what did you last use it for?

In my closet. I used it to hang up some pictures, when I moved.

3.  What are your ideal working conditions?

When I hear that term, “working conditions,” I think of The Jungle. Glad I’ve never had to work under conditions even 10% that bad.

If I had my way, I’d work in a warm office (check) with a window. Lamps (check) instead of florescent lights. In my pajamas. With a Diet Dr Pepper tap. So yeah, my “working conditions” aren’t perfect, but they’re pretty close!

4.  When did you most recently have ice cream?

I plead the 5th. I am Game On! Okay, Tuesday.

5.  How do you feel about giving bad/negative reviews on books?

I don’t enjoy it, but I do it as necessary. I prefer NOT to review a book I didn’t like, unless I feel like I need to dissuade others or make a point about the book.

A Few More Answers

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Time to finish answering your questions from a couple months ago. Here goes…

D asks, “What is your favorite thing to blog about?”

I probably most enjoy writing funny posts.  But I don’t do it very often, because I have to be in a particular mood and be inspired.  I have an idea for one in the near future, though, so watch out! (Just need to take a particular picture for the punch line!)

Alissa asks, “Have you ever considered quitting the blog, and if so what made you decide to stick with it?”

No, I’ve never really considered quitting.  I simply enjoy this kind of writing too much.  At least at this point, I can’t imagine quitting blogging, though I know my blog may not always look like it does now.

Carolyn asks, “Do you know any Canadians???”

I have a few Canadian acquaintances and have had a few others through the years.  Actually, our class president my senior year of high school as from Canada, and we used to make jokes about what would happen if she was deported…would we still have our class reunions?  Of course, back then we didn’t know yet about Facebook and how that would make us not want to go to a reunion, anyway.  Cue next question…

Jennifer asks, “Have you maintained any relationships with people you went to high school with?”

I still talk to my 2 best friends from high school.  We get together every year or so, and email about that often.  That’s it though.  I’m really not the same person I was back then, and many of them aren’t, either.  I am Facebook friends with a lot of people from high school which really takes away any incentive of going to my 10-year high school reunion that’s coming up next summer.

And finally, Sarah asks, “How did you become a Christian?”

Great question!  I’ve actually gotten this one before, and here’s my answer.

That’s it for this round!  Feel free to ask me any more questions that you may have…though I can’t promise a quick answer (but I’ll try to do better)!

FQF: Embarrassing Fads

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1.  An afternoon shopping spree at your favorite store or maid service for a year?

Shopping spree at Target. Though I’m sure my roommate would prefer me go for the maid service.

2.  You are at the doctor’s office and she has just informed you that you have approximately one month to live. a) Do you tell anyone/everyone you are going to die? b) What do you do with your remaining days? c) Would you be afraid?

At first I thought I’d definitely tell people, but I think it’d be more enjoyable to have them around if they didn’t know (as in, they aren’t always talking about it). I’d definitely quit my job (okay, so I better tell people, or I’d receive a lot of letters) and spend some time with all my close friends and family members. I’d set this blog to end on a gospel-centered note, so I can be a witness even after I’m gone. And I would happily go from this life to the next.

3.  What silly fad or craze do you remember immersing yourself in?

Neon colors. Pogs. Wearing socks with Birkenstocks (and I even remember my mom saying that I’d one day realize how ridiculous that was). Enough said.

4.  Do you prefer to read one book at a time, or several at once?

Ha! I’m always reading at least 5 different books, and listening to 1 or 2 more. I read a variety, so I never get confused.

5.  What’s your favorite kind of soup?

Baked potato. I’m actually not a huge fan of soups (I think I’m too picky, so there is always something in it that “ruins” the taste). I really just like baked potato and chicken noodle.

FQF: Stubbornness and Anger

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1.  If you could choose one of your personality traits to pass on to your children, what would it be?

My intelligence.  Okay, that’s not really a personality trait, is it?  Then I’d say my determination.  Yes, I know that’s just a polite way of saying “stubborn.”  I’m willing to put up with the challenges of a stubborn child if that also means that they’ll stand up for what is right and not be easily swayed when they’re older.

2.  Where did you last see a real windmill?

I’m sure it was back when I was in the middle country, as I don’t believe I’ve ever seen one here in North Carolina. I have no idea when…I’m not observant. (Watch, I’ll notice that I have seen one here now that I’ve been asked this question.)

3.  Would you rather have a masters degree in economics or creative writing?

While a degree in economics would be more useful to my current job, I’d rather do the work for the creative writing degree. So if you’re just going to hand me the expertise and degree, I’ll go with economics, but if you’re just giving me the education (and the time to do it in) free, I’ll go with creative writing.

4.  When you realize you’re working inefficiently, are you more likely to grit your teeth and power through it anyway, or to put it all down and come back to it when the vibe is better?

I don’t know about a “vibe,” but I do take a break when I notice I’m not working as well as I should. Usually if I do something else or simply walk away, I can come back to it in an hour or so refreshed and ready to go at it again.

5.  Name a book that made you angry.

The Shack.

FQF: Welcome to My Store

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1.  How long does it take you to get ready in the morning for whatever you have to do on a typical day?

It usually takes me a half hour to get ready in the morning. I shower in the evenings now that I’m going to the pool after work, so it’s just the time I need to get dressed, get my hair in some manageable order, put some make up on, and the usual.

2.  If you opened your own retail store, what would be its theme, name, and target clientele?

It’d definitely be a book store, and I’d love to target it to non-readers. Not sure about a name…I’m sure it’d be something cutesy.

3.  What is your favorite biography?

Corrie Ten Boom’s Hiding Place. I should read it again. The passage about how she unraveled her pajamas so she could use the thread to bring color to her jail cell haunts me when I’m ungrateful.

4.  How particular are you when it comes to writing implements?

Very. I really just use one kind of pen: Uniball Vision. LOVE them and in all their colors. They don’t bleed and don’t ever give out until they run out of ink. I have a favorite in mechanical pencils as well (don’t know what they are though), but I haven’t really used them since I gave up my math ed dreams. But since I’m going back to that, God willing, I’ll need them again.

5.  What’s your favorite Bible verse?

2 Corinthians 5:21 (NASU)
He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

FQF: Freedom and Growth

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1.  What is your favorite Bill of Rights right?

Freedom of religion.  Though I’m quite fond of the whole of the first amendment…thankful that I can believe what I believe, practice what I practice, and share it with others.

2.  If you could host a Reality TV show, which one would it be?

The Amazing Race would be cool because it’d be fun to go all the places they go without the stress of the race.  Plus, with all that traveling would come a lot of time to read! (Now the real reason I like to travel comes out…)

3. How would you describe your taste in the opposite sex?

Besides the obvious (that I’m looking for godly, single man), I’d definitely say I’m attracted to the nerdier type and guys that can make me laugh.  I want to be able to have intelligent discussions AND have fun.  I’m not picky physically, though I do tend to be intimidated by taller men.

4. What is your policy on book lending?

I love to do it.  While I’d like to say that I’ve gotten back every book I’ve lent, that’s not the case.  But I’ve been blessed with books, and if they’re good, I want to share!  If it’s not good, then I won’t even keep them.

5. In what way are you better than you were six months ago?

I’m stronger, I know.  I can swim longer than I have in years and faster than I ever have.  (The other day I was the fastest one in the pool, though that’s not saying much…there were only 5 others there, all older than me.)  I hope I’m godlier as well, but I feel like I have further to go than ever.