Saturday 9 - It's A Sunshine Day

Welcome to Saturday: 9. What we've committed to our readers is that we will post 9 questions every Saturday. Sometimes the post will have a theme, and at other times the questions will be totally unrelated. Those weeks we do "random questions," so-to-speak. We encourage you to visit other participants posts and leave a comment. Because we don't have any rules, it is your choice. We hate rules. We love memes, however, and here is today's meme!


Saturday 9: It's a Sunshine Day

1) The best known Brady Bunch song is, of course, the show's theme. Do you know the lyrics?  Unfortunately, yes.  And now, thanks to you, it will be stuck in my head...

Here's the story... of a lovely lady.
Who was busy with three very lovely girls...
All of them had hair of gold... like their mother.
The youngest one in curls.

AAAAAAGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!

2) The Brady's were a blended family. Do you have stepparents, stepchildren or stepsibs?  Yes and no.  I HAD step parents but both of my parents divorced again and never remarried.  It was rather an odd situation on both accounts.  My mother and my step-father were married for many years.  I am thinking from about the time I went to second grade until I was in my twenties so for him to just completely choose to drop out of our lives was... odd.  I tried to stay in touch but he obviously didn't want that so I just let it be.  I was never close with my step-mother for many reasons but I loved my step-sister as if she and I were best friends.  As such, I still claim my step-siblings (she had a brother, too) as family.  I don't believe "law" makes you family anymore than being a blood-relative gives you reason to be friendly with someone.  Obligatory relationships drain me... so I don't have them.  Blended families are fine -- just explaining them is a nightmare.

3) Samantha admits that, when she was 12, she taped Greg Brady's photo over her bed. Before you judge her too harshly, come clean yourself. Did you have a major pre-teen crush? Who was it?    Rick Springfield.  Sean Cassidy. Donny Osmand.  Leif Garret.  After a while everyone (other than Rick) was replaced with Cinderella, Bon Jovi, Motley Crue and other equally hot sexy men in tight leather pants.

4) Which TV character do you wish lived next door?  Mike Rowe from Dirty Jobs... because then have a reason to wash my car topless while he mowed his yard.  Oh wait, he's not a character...he's just him.  Well, then I don't know because I don't watch TV.  Mickey Mouse?  Wouldn't THAT be fun!

5) It's a sunshine day! Describe your sunglasses.  The darker the better.  Nothing trendy.  I hate the "bug eye" Sleestak look.  Mine are a pair of Kenneth Cole shades that I've had for about 8 years.  My kids have broken all the rest of mine.  

6) You're on a 90-minute flight. How will you spend the time? Do you read a book? A magazine? Look out the window? Take a nap?  Hopefully talk to someone next to me because who wants to travel alone?  Not I.  Otherwise, I'll read.  I hate, however, having people next to me nod off and snore... or have their heads fall forward or worse... fall on me.  

7) Do you have a favorite brand of toothpaste?  Crest.  Plain white paste.  

8) How many keys are on your key ring?  One...but it's not a key.... just a keyfob thingy.  I do have a keyring, however.  I don't know what any of they keys are for other than the key to the front door.

9) What do you miss about summertime?  My long morning workouts... I didn't have to deal with being home at a certain time in order for breakfast being made and kids being transported.  It was the best me time... work outs... getting a sweat on... cardio... trails... you name it.  Summer workouts ROCK!

31 Day Blog Challenge

Fabulous Finds by Tiffany is hosting a 31 Day Blog Challenge.  You know me... I have to jump in the middle of the fun.  Well, by all definitive purposes, it's the beginning of the fun, not the middle, but that's neither here nor there.  

The list of daily writing prompts is here...

So, without further adieu, here is Day One -->  A self portrait and 5 random facts.

1) I hate massages.  The idea of weird people I don't know touching me creeps me out

2) I love speaking before large crowds... I have no problem with a public forum and find it amazing that some people would choose death over public speaking.

3) I can type over 100 words a minute.

4) I love ratty jeans, worn out Converse, thread-bare comfy sweatshirts and flannel.

5) In my head, I silently correct just about everyone on their grammar usage.  It's a curse.

Five Question Friday

1. What was the most productive thing you have done this week?  Should I be embarrassed that I have to look at a CALENDAR to actually SEE what I did this week? I think this week I should say it is keeping everyone alive...especially my eldest son since he had to have an ass transplants from having his chewed off repeatedly.

This question (and my response) reminded me of the photo (below).... Remember when you asked what I do all day?  Today, I didn't.  LOL  

2. Enjoying the winter or ready for spring?  I like either.  We don't really HAVE "winter" in Texas much so it's not really bad here.  I don't want shorts weather yet if that's what you're asking.  I never like shorts weather.... I'm like... WHITER than white.  Paler than pale.  I'm like... Casper!

3. Are you an introvert or extrovert? Is your spouse the same as you?  It depends on the situation.  By nature I'm definitely an extrovert... but am very capable of adapting to new situations where perhaps being an introvert would be more accommodating.  I don't know... why don't you ask him.  I don't really like to answer for other people.

4. Would you rather go without music or television for 1 year?  Television.  Easily.  In fact, I can't remember the last time I actually WATCHED an entire 30 minute show.  

5. Have you ever been truly scared of someone?  Yes.  

Friday Fill Ins

It's time for Friday Fill Ins


They are doing lyrics this week...but apparently, I'm free to fill in WHATEVER I'd like. I would anyway because that's the way I roll. And...here we go! 

1. Bert Kaempfert's a name that I've never heard of. 



2. My son Joshua comes by athletic ability naturally I just wish his study habits also came as such. 

3. So I'm packing my bags for NO WHERE.  Doesn't that SUCK?  I want to go somewhere.  Spring break is two weeks away.  I have zero plans.  I need to do something.  Bleh!  The closest thing I get to a BREAK is going grocery shopping by myself.  

 

4. I love listening to Stevie Ray Vaughn play the blues. 



5. Put the damned cell phone down and LOOK AT PEOPLE when they talk to you! 

6. Anyone who dips her donut in my tea better be ready to wear it!  

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to a workout at the gym, tomorrow my plans include taking my younger two to a movie (a private screening of The Croods) and then Drewdles is having a sleepover with his bestie.  I'm certain there will be LOTS of gaming... and little else and Sunday, I want to pretend to give a crap about something.  It'll be hard!

The Lil Journal Project Day 37

Lil Boo Blue is hosting a Journal Project on her blog.  I thought this was a unique opportunity to perhaps stroll down memory lane.  I seem to be so fond of doing that from time to time.

Day 37:  How many of your teachers can you remember from pre-school to high school?  Try to make a list.  Skip over the ones you can't remember... it might come back to you.  Jot down anything else that comes to mind:  school name, principal, PE teacher, librarian, bus driver, advisors, etc.

Wow, this is a stroll down memory lane.  A long one... 

Pre-School
I attended Pre-School next door to my grandmother's house.  It was taught by a woman name Tubby Toombs.  She was a retired teacher that, obviously, taught preschool out of her house.  It was awesome.  I remember the smell of the black permanent ink markers.  I loved doing projects with them.  (No, I didn't become a "huffer" at an early age, I just distinctly liked the smell.  Jack-holes!)  One bonus of attending PS at Tubby's house was that it also included swimming lessons.  BONUS!  Well, that and it was next door to my Mawmaw's house which was probably my favorite place to be.  I also recall doing projects with glow-in-the-dark crayons and black lights.  So cool.... and the hermit crabs.  One pinched me on the thumb.  That will teach me to pick them up, huh?  I learned to read, write, swim, spell, sing... you name it... before I ever stepped foot in a real school.

Elementary

Kindergarten
My first elementary school was at M.C. Lively Elementary.  I always thought that was SO neat to go there specifically because it was where my father had attended.  My Kindergarten teacher was Mrs. Stevenson (or Stephenson).  I'm not certain of the spelling.  I remember she was SO TALL (to me).  In retrospect, I suppose all adults are tall to 5 year-olds.  I remember we had carpet squares where we would all sit during circle time and one day a little boy had an "accident" on his.  I felt badly for him and after he changed into extra clothes she kept in a supply closet, I let him have my square so he had a place to sit and I just sat on the rug.  I loved playing in the centers.  Each group of kids were assigned a color and shape and those were on large squares of laminated construction paper.  Those would be clipped up to each of the centers so you had to look and see exactly where you were "assigned" for that time period.  I loved those times...and I LOVED learning all The Letter People (pictured)!  Those were SO MUCH FUN to me.  Each letter was Ms. "Something" or Mr. "Something" and we did all kinds of activities that correlated to each one.  That was probably what began my true love affair with words and letters.  

In thinking about attending school at MC Lively, I'm not sure why I went to school there since we weren't in that school district.  It was, however, close to my grandmother's house and I stayed with her before and after school each day.  She always met me at the corner and we would walk to her house together (unless it was raining or something).

First Grade
I attended half of first grade at MC Lively as well in Mrs. Manning's class.  I don't remember much of her... I do think she had short brown hair.  I think my sister had had her for a teacher as well when she was in first grade.  I could be wrong.

Eventually I transferred over to a fancy new school when we moved from Cunningham in (somewhat) North Irving to Woodoak in South Irving.  John F. Townley Elementary was FAAAANNNNCY!  Mrs. Margaret Young was the principal.  She wore lots of polyester shirts that tied around the neck in a bow and had an infectious laugh.  I also remember Mrs. Vanderbilt in the office (or something that started with a V).  She was so pretty to me.  Fluffy blonde hair that was always immaculately styled.  This new school was, in a word, AMAZING!  They had an actual aviary inside with dove.  Their coos were so peaceful to hear as you walked down the halls.  My best friend growing up, Shane Echols, cared for them.  He lived across the street.  Anyway, for the day, this school was state-of-the-art!  The classrooms had these convex bubbles that were the windows for the passers-by in the hall to see in.  The colors were so fresh and vibrant.  There was even a ceiling to floor waterfall with a little bridge.  The library was an open concept floor-plan and was probably one of my favorite places to be.  Mrs. Cargill was our librarian and, although I thought she talked kind of funny and was as skinny as they come, she was so excited about books.  That got ME excited about books, too!  I remember when we had author, Marc Brown come to our school.  I was just beside myself and probably dominated his time with questions about writing and illustrations....

My first grade teacher was Mrs. Adams.  However, I didn't get to meet her until several weeks later because the day I happened to start school, she went into labor.  I was sitting in her class... while the entire class went WILD since there was no teacher.  I didn't know anyone other than David Stambaugh (from church and our parents worked together at Irving Police Department).  The class was acting just like you'd imagine they would in a movie if the teacher was gone.  The back corners of the classroom had what they called a "reading pit" with three steps that went down to a lower area that had one raised "seat" for the teacher in the corner.  Kyle Barbour was running down the pit, hopping up on the teacher seat and then jumping off and running back up the stairs and spinning on his stomach on the tables at the back.  He wasn't the only one.  There were many.  I remember that day -- my first day there -- the principal walking into the classroom with her paddle, grabbing about 13 students, taking them to the back workroom that adjoined the classrooms and  you could just hear "WHACK WHACK WHACK".  You'd then see a crying child grabbing their backside and walking back to their seats to sit quietly.  THAT was my first day at school.  I was SCARED SHITLESS!  THEY BEAT PEOPLE HERE!

Second Grade
Second grade was Mrs. Jo Carol Adamson.  She was about 4'10' and had a vast collection of polyester pantsuits in all kinds of pastel colors.  She always wore heels.  Her mother, "Dot," was my nurse at our family doctor, Dr. Powell.  She was feisty!  This is the year that I was exposed to chicken pox and missed all of the Christmas parties and fun December "stuff" you do in elementary school.  My entire Christmas break was spent at my grandmother's taking Aveeno oatmeal baths and sleeping.  Chicken pox sucked.

Third Grade
Third grade was Mrs. Gallagher.  I was told that she was one of the MEANEST teachers at the school.  She was a former Drill Sgt. in the military.  Frankly, I adored her.  I remember at one particular school gathering she was recognized for some significant moment in her military career... and she broke down crying.  She was the first true patriotic person I can recall meeting (other than my grandfathers).

Fourth Grade
This was my favorite year of school -- anywhere -- ever!  Mrs. Carol Schober was my teacher.  She has beautiful porcelain skin, dark hair and bright lipstick.  She loved apples.  I loved her handwriting.  I loved her disposition.  I loved her black velvet jacket and red shirt that she'd wear to class.  She had a hamster, too.  Smokey.  He bit me once.  I'm seeing a pattern here with classroom pets and being a snack.  She would read to us and while many kids would fall asleep, I would get lost in the words.  We memorized Shel Silverstein poems in her classroom.  I can recite many of them today.... Ickle Me, Pickle Me, Tickle Me, Too.... We read "Where The Red Fern Grows."  This was just my most favorite year... my most favorite teacher... I was more sad that this school year came to an end than any other.  What is quite awesome, however, is that we have found one another again through Facebook and have become friends.  She's still just as amazing as ever!

Fifth Grade
Again, I received "the meanest" teacher in school -- Mrs. Morris.  Again, kids truly don't know the quality of a teacher.  She was amazing.  Shane Echols and I were in her class together.  We were always in trouble.  If we weren't talking, we were putting glue on our hands and letting it dry so that we could peel it off.  I'm not sure many days went by without my name on the board (for talking).  Can you imagine?  Gasp!  This is the year I was able to be on the Safety Patrol.  What a big deal that was.

Sixth Grade - Eighth Grade
Lamar Junior High School, Irving, Texas  Unfortunately, I'm really drawing a blank here.  

Sixth grade -- Mr. Tyrone was a science teacher.  Gene Penrod who used to be my best friend (until about a year ago) and I were introduced in this class.  They wanted me to dissect a baby pig and I refused... and sat in the hallway...and cried.

I remember having a math class and Joshua Price would sit behind me right after PE and he always smelled like B.O.  I hated that.

Mrs. Petty was my reading teacher.  I always thought she talked kind of like she was clenching her back teeth together.  This was one of the only classes I ever almost failed.  I still have no idea why.

Ms. Garner taught History.  She was awesome.  She taught kids HOW to take notes from which to study.

Ms. Tickle was the speech and Drama teacher.  I loved her.  She loved me.  She smoked which made her breath and clothes stink... Oh and she had that typical "smoker's laugh."  Other than that flaw, she was awesome.

Mrs. Woods was my English teacher in 6th and I LOVED the way she taught.  She was probably my favorite teacher that year.

Mrs. Vickery was my 8th grade English teacher... I think.  She used the word "contemplate" a lot.  She had a vocabulary that I envied.  I loved that.  She was pregnant... wore a lot of dresses.

I kind of feel like a huge HEEL not remembering all the teachers I had... especially in knowing that we had SIX PERIODS each day for THREE DIFFERENT YEARS.  You'd think I'd remember more.

I remember taking an elective about the stock market.  That was one of my most interesting classes.  I think, however, this class should have been geared more toward high school.  My team was the one who won, however, by not losing our money.  We had an amount we had to invest over the semester and then watch it grow (hopefully)... follow trends... know when to buy and sell, etc.

Ninth - Twelfth Grades
I honestly don't remember much of this era at all.  I have probably blocked it all out.  Chester W. Nimitz High School in Irving, Texas.  Class of 1991.

Teachers....

I remember Mrs. Butts.  Great personality.  I have no idea what she taught.  I remember she had HUGE hair (beehive) and used LOTS of Aquanet.  It was quite gross.

Mr. Simpson -- Physics.  Fun guy.  Hated his class because he required the building of PROJECTS every 6 weeks which I never did.  I am NOT "builder" savvy.  Never have been.  Aspire to be but never have been.

Ms. Cowen was a short black teacher with bug eyes and a big mouth and an even bigger personality.  LOVED this woman!  She taught Speech/Debate.  David Webb stole my Oakley shades in this class.

Mrs. Jasheway -- Chemistry -- tree huggin' granola hippy chick who never shaved her pits... spent most of our class teaching with her head laying on the lab table because she had morning sickness.  I quit showing up to her class because she NEVER TAUGHT.  She never counted me absent or tardy.

I remember Ms. Ditucci.  She was my French teacher.  I thought she was ... odd... and a little too perky.

I remember Ms. Massengil... I believe she was English.  I loved her.  Everyone else hated her.  Do you not notice a homologous tendency for me to not only like teachers everyone else hates, but also to just adore my English teachers?  Hmmmmm....

Mrs. Gallemore was the Geometry and Algebra teacher.  She would nod her head a lot like a bobble-head doll.  It was distracting.  She was also the cheerleading coach.  She would use hot rollers on her hair.  It was rather big.

My favorite teacher of all of high school HAD to be Mr. Coltharp.  I'll give you three guesses as to the subject he taught.  Of course -- you guessed it -- English.  The man was BRILLIANT!  He taught Shakespeare with more passion... you were IN the moment. I loved absolutely everything about his class.  Senior English was da bomb!

====================
Those are the few that I can remember.  I am almost tempted to break out the yearbooks to peruse.  That would probably be considered cheating, huh?

Sunday Stealing

The (20) First (Questions) Meme

Today we ripped off a blogger named Paul Burgin from the blog Mars Hill. It is 20 questions, He says he got it from Paul Linford. But, it was probably stolen there as well. So, of course, that will be as far as we go. Tracing back our theft's thieves might take some time. Take the time to comment on other player's posts. It's a great way to make new friends! Link back to us at Sunday Stealing!

First Job: First Real Job:  I worked for my grandmother from age 8 to 18 off an on in the summers.  She owned a company called Midnight Ceramics.  She supplied decor to a warehouse that provided interior decorators with items to utilize when staging model homes for several builders in the DFW area.  I was paid cash... so some may not consider that a "real" job, so if you want to talk one I paid into the good ole tax pool, that'd be Colter's BBQ.  It has since been shut down.  I'm not even sure if the chain is in business any longer.  

First Volunteer Job:  We were always helping with something so much that I don't really remember anything sticking out specifically.  I do, however, remember teaching Sunday school at South MacArthur Church of Christ in high school.  I don't consider that a "job"...but it was fun and I was a volunteer.

First Car:  1982 RX7 which I couldn't afford the insurance to so I got an EXP.  Hated that stupid car... was red... was a stick shift... smelled funny and the coil went out. But the stereo kicked ass.  

First Record:  I have no idea.  Truthfully, not a single solitary clue.  Is that supposed to be a big, memorable moment in someone's life? 

First Sport Played:  I didn't get to play a lot of sports because my sister did that so by the time it was time for me to participate in such activities...the parentals didn't really want any part of that kind of time commitment... So, it wasn't until I was in junior high that I played in an "organized" sport (basketball, track, etc.)

First Concert:  I attended MANY concerts with my dad as a kid.  Every year there was an Oak Ridge Boys benefit concert for kids... we attended.  I loved it.  I went to many concerts with my dad, too, because he worked them (as a police officer).  I was able to meet many personalities... Chuck Berry was one of my favorites.  But, my first REAL concert sans parents was 1984 to see Van Halen with my sister.  

First Country Visited:  Mexico.  It was during spring break...  before I knew any better.

First Kiss:  Michael Bates, 4th grade, Mid Cities Skate Town.  

First Speech:  7th Grade, Mrs. Tickle's class, Speech/Debate and I OWNED it!  I'm fairly certain I was this confident...

First Girlfriend/Boyfriend:  Robert Antonetti, 4th grade

First Encounter with a Famous Person:  Again, many of these were when I was so young that I wouldn't be able to recall... because of my dad working and my being able to tag along... Donny Osmand, Dick Clark, some famous country singer.... was really sexy.... Chuck Berry... but I couldn't recall who was the "first."  

First Brush With Death:  Being born.  Ha!  I like to think that I haven't had one of those.... either that or I've apparently got 9 lives.  

First House/Flat Owned:  4576 Bramble Lane, Colorado Springs, CO.  I visited there almost 7 years ago with Drew and the place has gone to hell in a handbasket.  Looks HORRIBLE adn the neighborhood looks so run down.  No one takes pride in their homes, yards, nothing.  Very sad.  According to THIS picture, they did take in the porch which is kind of sad.  It was so cute!

First Film Seen at a Cinema:  Not a clue.  I do, however, remember seeing The Howling when I was young.  It came out in 1981 which means that I was 9 or 10 years old... In my opinion -- entirely TOO YOUNG -- to have seen that.  I had nightmares for MONTHS after seeing this movie.  I had to sleep with a flashlight for a good year... and a nightlight.... and I was terrified of walking from my best friend's house to mine by myself... I WOULD SPRINT.  If I heard a rustle in the leaves as I was running, I would nearly have a panic attack.  

First Media Appearance (Radio, Newspaper, TV):  I was on a local tv show filmed about my grandmother's next door neighbor because she taught swimming lessons.  PM Magazine I think was what it was called.  I helped her with swimming lessons and was featured on the show with her.  That was the first.... there have been others.

First Hospital Stay:  Being born.  I was a preemie (4 pounds 9 oz.) so I had to stay 5 days.  Came home on Christmas morning in a stocking.  For real... they stuffed me in a stocking and they couldn't get me out.   No, this wasn't me, but it was cute... my stocking was smaller... and I'm positive that I was *much* more adorable than this little brat.

First Book You Remember Reading:  Little Women, The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles 4th grade.  

 

First Pet:  Casey, black cocker spaniel.  He was an outside dog.  I always hated that he was an outside dog.  He hardly got any attention.  I hated that.  He was so fluffy.  This isn't him but it looks like him. 

First Election You Voted In:  1996.  I voted for Clinton.  For the record, I wasn't ever a fan of Gore.  To this day, he is an idiot, a hypocrite and full of himself.