Random Dozen

This is a fun meme that I found at Linda's blog, 2nd Cup of Coffee. She's changed it up a little with a Christmasy Theme. Please stop by and share a cup with her. She'll be the bright spot of your day!

Well, here goes:

1. Gingerbread: For or against? Discuss. For, until I watched the "Brothers Grimm" movie with Matt Damon and Heath Ledger. A blob of black goop turned into an evil Gingerbread Man and I just can't eat it anymore!

2. Is it important to you to always stay (live) close to family? It hasn't been that important, however, recent events in my life have made me want to live closer to family.

3. Which holiday pretend character do you wish really existed? Certainly not the Gingerbread Man!

4. Which holiday movie best represents how you feel about Christmas or life? "A Christmas Carol." We get so caught up in money stuff and stuff for us, that we lose sight of the real celebration. The movie also shows how old dogs can change and learn new tricks or ways of living.

5. Is there a particular Christmas song that you're enjoying now? Any that you're tired of? I never get tired of Christmas songs. My favorite song is the Carpenter's "Merry Christmas, Darling." You may already know this, but they wrote it for a college professor of theirs whose wife had passed away and he was going to have to spend Christmas without her. I think their gift was a perfect example of the Christmas Spirit, and I get teary-eyed thinking of him listening to the song for the first time.

6. What is your favorite way to remember those less fortunate at Christmastime? At my work, we have needy families who give us wish lists. All of the items are written on snowflakes and everyone picks out a few. The gifts are returned to the school. Then we deliver the gifts to the families.

7. Does it upset you to see "Xmas" instead of Christmas? How about "Happy Holidays" etc., instead of "Merry Christmas?" "Xmas" doesn't bother me, but the politically correct crap does.

8. How many Christmas programs are you attending this month? None so far. We plan to attend a program that our neighbors are performing in.

9. Are you dreaming of a white Christmas? Any chance of that dream becoming a reality? I'm from California. I've been dreaming of a white Christmas my entire life! I have had a couple since we moved to the Midwest. I don't think we will have one this year, but we may get a dusting.

10. Tell me about a Christmas present you received as a child. Pics are always nice. I received a baby doll that moved its arms and legs when you wound it up. (You need to remember that I received this doll during the dinosaur era when they were just beginning to experiment with movable limbs.)

11. How many Christmas parties are you attending this month? I am attending our office luncheon tomorrow and that will be it!

12. How do you keep yourself centered on the significance of Christmas? I get out of my selfcentered persona and concentrate on the joy and happiness of others. And, I sing "Happy Birthday Jesus" Please check out YouTube - Avery Winter-Happy Birthday, Jesus (Cactus Theater) url - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=claKP84h9EE&feature=related

Thanks for humoring me by reading this! I wish everyone the best holiday celebration ever!

Random Dozen

This is a fun meme that I found at Linda's blog, 2nd Cup of Coffee. Stop by and share a cup with her. She'll be the bright spot of your day!

1. I've always wondered why we were taught both printing and cursive. Do you prefer to print or write cursive? (Keyboard is not a choice.)

Cursive. It just flows better for me. I can read my printing better, but like writing in cursive.

2. Are you a dreamer or a realist?

Mostly I'm a dreamer. Maybe that's why it takes me so long to get things done!

3. Billy Joel or Elton John?

Elton John. I fell in love with my husband listening to his early songs.

4. What is the scariest movie you've ever seen? Not just horror flicks but also ones where the tension or suspense is killer, for example, Flightplan (2005): A bereaved woman and her daughter are flying home from Berlin to America. At 30,000 feet the child vanishes and nobody admits she was ever on that plan.

The Exorcist, Panic Room, The Entity.

5. Now what is the scariest real-life moment you've had?

I let my three year old climb too high on the ladder of a playground structure. I climbed up the ladder to get him and he fell before I could reach him. I caught him by his arm. The guilt is pouring out of me right now. Another moment was when I was driving on a local street and reached down to get something I dropped. When I looked up, I was about 20 feet behind a bus and I was traveling about 40 miles an hour. My first thought was to slam on the brakes, even though I knew we would crash. As I did, there was a force that turned the steering wheel to the right. I missed the bus by inches. I knew I had an angel in the car with me that day.

6. What word do you misspell without fail?

I can't just give one word. Thank goodness for spellcheck!

7. Name something you like to do but are not really talented or good at?

Dance, sew, craft, write....

8. Do you get your emotional/mental batteries recharged by being around people or by having alone time?

Being around people gives me a chance to see how others live their lives. I'm always learning new ways of doing things from others.

9. Have you ever been on TV?

Yes, the first day of school in Fourth Grade, I was on a TV show called The Princess. In my twenties I studied acting and was in a few non-union commercials and movies.

10. Apple or pumpkin pie? (Don't be greedy.)

Apple pie - it's a base for a giant scoop of ice cream!

11. How many magazine subscriptions do you have?

Right now, none. We cut back about a year ago to save money.

12. What lesson do you have to keep re-learning?

When to speak and when to shut up! When to let my teens spread their wings and fly on their own.

Have a great day! Enjoy your coffee!