I've Been Tagged!

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One of my favorite bloggers, Pam at over50feeling40, has tagged me with a "get-to-know-the-blogger" thing.  A fun opportunity for (not literally!) navel-gazing. :)

It involves answering 11 questions posed to me by Pam…. then confessing 11 random things about me…and finally asking my own 11 questions of 11 other bloggers. Here we go!

Here are the questions Pam asked me...



1. Name one lesson you have learned from blogging?--That I can come up with  a post that I think is extremely interesting, appealing and well-written, and I won't get one single comment on it...whereas something I just threw on there will get a lot of response! So, patience and trying not to be too competitive, because I'm never going to be a superstar blogger.


2. What makes you smile?--My two grandsons, Payton (almost 5) and Josiah (2).  Even just looking at pictures or videos of them, I'll catch myself with a silly grin on my face!


3. What do you enjoy most about being a woman?--Wow...so many things.  But honestly?  I think I love dressing up and "fixing up." 


4. What is one thing you would tell young girls to remember when they get older?--That EVERYTHING has consequences.  Good and bad.  Too much tanning? You'll have wrinkles way before your time.  Those tattoos that look so cute now?  They're going to look ghastly when you get older...especially that cute little one on your tummy.  Make a good skin care regimen a daily part of your life now? It will pay dividends when you're older.


5. You wish you had learned to : sew and play the piano.

6. Your favorite place in the whole world is: Austin, TX.  Just because that's where so many people  I love are.


7. If you were stuck in an elevator, who would you like to be stuck with: my sisters.


8. The next book you want to read is: I just started my first Elizabeth George mystery (A Great Deliverance)on Kindle, and I checked out the next two in the series from the library.  So it will be Payment Upon Death.


9. Hardwood floors or carpet?--Depends on the room.  I love hardwood floors, but there's something about a nice cushy carpet in a den or family room.


10. Coffee or tea?--Coffee in the morning, but I love a good cup of tea as well.


11. Dresses or jeans?--I really do love dresses, and a comfortable dress can be even more comfortable than a pair of jeans.  But there's a time and a place for both!
And here are the 11 random things about me:

1.  I love the sound of Celtic music.  Even bagpipes.

2.  I started working in radio when I was 19 years old.

3.  I do calligraphy pretty well...I've even been paid to do it!

4.  My favorite kind of movies are romantic comedies that aren't filthy...and sadly, they're few and far between.

5.  My favorite book in the world other than the Bible is Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte.

6.  I like to fly, but I could NEVER jump out of an airplane.

7.  My favorite drink in the world used to be Coca Cola, but I have not had more than a few sips of it since I was diagnosed as Type 2 Diabetic in 2007.

8.  I once covered a murder trial in which the suspect (already a convicted murderer) escaped while being escorted to the courtroom.  (He was found, convicted of that murder, and has since been executed.)

9.  I dream about visiting Ireland, but also England and Scotland.  And Paris!

10.  I've been told I do a really good impression of Dolly Parton singing.

11.  I love to sing.

OK, now I'm going to cheat a little...


Rather than singling bloggers out to tag, I'm going to invite you to answer the questions Pam asked me on your own blog, along with the 11 things about yourself.  If you want to make up questions and tag others, feel free!

Participate in Bookish Images Monday!

Hop on over to my book blog, Cindy's Book Club, and participate in Bookish Images Monday!

Wednesday Hodge-Podge!

Johnstown Castle, Wexford, Ireland

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I'm participating today in the Wednesday Hodge Podge, hosted by From This Side of the Pond!


1. What is one thing on your bucket list? If you don't have one let's pretend you do.

Go to Ireland.

2. What makes a good dad?

A man of character who loves his children unconditionally, encourages and supports them wholeheartedly, but has the wisdom to set boundaries and enforce them firmly but lovingly.

A man who follows Christ and strives to be like him.

A man who loves and respects his wife, and models that to his children.

A man who helps equip his children to someday be independent and stand on their own two feet.

A man who laughs and enjoys his children and his life.

3. Are you afraid of insects? Which ones?

It's not that I'm afraid of them per se. They just give me the creeps! Pretty much all of them. Except the ones that just annoy me, like flies and mosquitoes.

4. We're barbecuing...what's on the grill at your house?

We like it all--burgers, brats, pork chops, chicken breasts, veggie-burgers. I love to slice yellow squash and zucchini, add some onion slices, season it and drizzle olive oil on it, wrap it in aluminum foil and grill it. Yum!

5. Do you believe playing is more important than winning?

I do. But I'm not as competitive as other members of my family! :)

6. Do you tan? Use self tanners? Visit tanning salons? See your dermatologist at least once a year?

I've never been much of a sun worshipper...I've even been poked fun at sometimes for my whiteness. Now, at my age, I'm glad I didn't do it a lot. I will sometimes use a self-tanner on my legs and arms. I've never EVER been to a tanning salon. And no, I haven't been to my dermatologist in a while...thanks for the reminder!


7. Five years ago I would never imagine that today I would...

...be working at News/Talk 1440 WROK. It has always been the radio station I looked up to and admired in my city, and now I work there! Still hard to believe.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I think God gave us the most incredible, amazing gift when he gave us music! I love music so much, and it enhances and enriches my life in so many ways. I'm so glad there's such a thing!

Click on the icon to participate in Wednesday HodgePodge!

Flashback Friday, Podcast-Style

Vintage Halloween Postcards

Hi everyone! I'm participating in Mocha with Linda's Halloween-themed Flashback Friday, sharing my memories of, and ambivalent thoughts about, celebrating Halloween.

Click on the player for my podcast, which is about 7 minutes long.



I'm also linking back to Company Girls Coffee. Click on an icon to participate in either one,or both!

Five Question Friday

Some leaves in my yard

This is a lot like The Random Dozen meme that I participate in, but I thought it would be fun to do this one today!

Five Question Friday is hosted by My Little Life.

Here we go!


1. What is your favorite Halloween candy?

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Little orange mellocreme pumpkins are the Devil. As a type 2 diabetic, I should steer clear of these things, but I can hardly resist them. And of course, I can't eat just one. Or two. Or five. How can something that's pretty much just pure sugar be SO GOOD?

2. Do you fold your socks?

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When two socks of a pair actually come through the wash together, yes, I do! Actually, I tuck one inside the other the way my Mom always did.

Lately I've been having better luck keeping socks mated, but I'm still of the school of thought that some socks take off to seek their fortunes elsewhere.

3. What is something that you wish you had been warned about?

My youngest grandson, Josiah, as a newborn--he's almost one year old now!


This goes back a number of years for me, but if you haven't had a baby yet, or you JUST had a baby, take note.

I wish someone had warned me about just how very hard the first couple of months are.

Although I took Lamaze classes, and read everything I could get my hands on, no one really said, "Look, the first six to eight weeks may be BRUTAL. But you WILL get through it."

That's why I always tell new and expectant moms this very thing. Yes, it may be very hard at times. You may feel like putting the baby back inside you at times. But you will get through it, and it will be wonderful when you do.

Also, my favorite mantra to new and expectant mommies: "Just repeat to yourself: THIS, TOO, SHALL PASS."

4. What is the most significant difference between you and your significant other?

Couple of biggies. First of all, my husband is basically an optimistic person, and I'm basically pessimistic. I don't like being that way, but I am...I'm always afraid something's going to go wrong, the other shoe is about to drop.

Doug is usually optimistic, and I love that. I love having my husband telling me everything's going to be all right, even if I don't always believe it.

Probably the other big difference is that my husband is very athletic and loves sports. I have never been athletic, and I'm only marginally interested in sports.

5. What are three words you would use to describe yourself? (And, just for fun...if your significant other is around, ask him/her what 3 words they would use to describe you!!)

Hubby's not around, so I can't pick his brain on this one. To describe myself?

Just off the top of my head, I'd say outgoing, loving, and inquisitive.

To take part in Five Question Friday, just click on the icon. And have a great and blessed weekend, everyone!

I answer the Random Dozen, audio-style!

Oatmeal Carmelitas--I talk about them in this podcast!

Once again, I'm participating in The Random Dozen, sponsored by Linda at 2nd Cup of Coffee! Just click to listen...and catch the links below the podcast!



Want to try those Oatmeal Carmelitas? The recipe here.