31 Day Blog Challenge - Day 5

Day 5 - Favorite movie you never get sick of watching

(See plenty of other posts talking about "favorites".... how I have NONE) so be prepared for a list. :)  Hee hee)

Open Range is a story of courage, love, perseverance  friendship, trust ... plus... it's a western.  I am not a huge fan of Costner or Duvall but in this movie, I love them both.  Kevin Costner's character is just... well, he just makes me smile.  The love story between he and Annette Bening is sweet and pure and innocent... Fighting against odds for what is right and just.  I love westerns.


The Princess Bride is a movie I quote lines from on a weekly basis.  It's endearing.


Goodfellas is such a great gangster flick.  Joe Pecsi is such a jackass... you have to love him!


Back to the Future is such a fun movie for adults and kids.  I love MJF.  He's the boy next door.


While You Were Sleeping is a movie I HAVE watched over and over.  I absolutely adore the characters' interactions.  The dinner scene is one that we quote at my house with much regularity.  "These mashed potatoes are so creamy." 


Toombstone... where can you go wrong... Val Kilmer and Sam Elliott in a western?  "I'm ya huckle bearer."  Sexy.  


IQ is an adorable romantic sit-com starring Walter Matthau as one of my favorite brains - Einstein.  Meg Ryan is his niece and Tim Robbins is the love interest.  It's just a fun, sweet, charming little movie that makes me smile.


Shawshank Redemption an amazing adaptation of the book... the movie is riveting.


Lord of the Rings -- any of them
...

and a gratuitous Viggo shot just because he's so damn sexy and .... sigh...



Harry Potter - any of them


Star Wars (original 3)



LOTS of kids movies.... The Incredibles, Finding Nemo, Cars, Open Season... among others

31 Day Blog Challenge - Day 4

Day 4 - Best childhood memory

Let  me be completely frank here, I struggle at "bests" and "favorites" simply because I typically have no desire to designate anything as the end-all-be-all-best-most-favorite-in-my-life (on most accounts, there are obviously exclusions to every list).... but most often because I also have a vast genre of likes.  Therefore, there CAN'T be a favorite when you're comparing apples and oranges.  This is purely subjective as best but it's my explanation as to why I typically generate a specific ONE favorite for any given request.

That being said, this category almost makes me sad because of all the obscure, meaningless, odd, trivial minutiae clouding my brain... I honestly do not remember a great deal of my childhood.  Furthermore, I certainly don't recall any one legendary moment as being my "favorite" over any other.  

I remember...

...leaving my new box of crayons outside in the sun and they all melted together (at the tip) into one big crayon block... I was about four years old at the time.  Favorite?  Nope.  Just a memory.

...playing freeze tag out front of my house with Kim Nash, Robbie and Shannon Fry, Steve Rodawalt and my sister.

...talking with walkie talkies to Tammy Thompson next door after bedtime on school nights.

...our black cocker spaniel, Casey

...nacho nights at our house

...playing penny ante poker with my Uncle Leonard

...playing on our pinball machine... green shag carpet, stark white walls and orange chairs.  The 70s decor and color palette sucks even still.

...taking apart the telephone to see how it worked and successfully putting it back together again.

...dancing to Solid Gold with my sister across the linoleum floor.

...winning awards, listening to Oak Ridge Boys records at my grandmother's house, going on vacations, endless sleepovers at my best friend Shannon's house, riding on the arm rests of my grandmother's Oldsmobile Tornado before seat belts and car seats were a legal requirement... I remember lots of little bits but nothing strikes me as anything neither significant nor worthy of the designation of favorite.  

Sunday Stealing

The 5000 Question Meme, Part Five 

Welcome back to Sunday Stealing which originated on WTIT: The Blog authored by Bud Weiser. Here we will steal all types of memes from every corner of the blogosphere. Our promise to you is that we will work hard to find the most interesting and intelligent memes. You may have heard of the expression, “honor amongst thieves”. In that age-old tradition, we also have our rules. First, we always credit the blog that we stole it from and we will “fess up” to the blog owner where we stole the meme. We also provide a link to the victim's post. (It's our way of saying "Thanks!") We do sometimes edit the original meme, usually to make it more relevant to our global players, to challenge our players, sometimes to select that meme's best questions, or simply to make it less repetitive from either this new meme or recently asked questions from a prior featured meme. 

The 5000 question meme has been tormenting bloggers for years. I have not found anyone that has completed it. I will post a continuance of what Bud started every now and then, Maybe in 10 years or so we can get it done. :) 

Today we ripped off a blogger named Leo from the blog Leonine's Journal. He was tackling a meme that his blogging site, Live Journal, hosts. It has 5,000 questions. He did a hundred. So, we will take it from there. Link back to us at Sunday Stealing! If you missed any part, and wish to catch up, Bud posted the first 100 here:



101. What does happiness/joy feel like physically?  I think true happiness makes you feel powerful... invincible... like you could fly.

102. List five things you love starting with the one you love the absolute most. I'm going to go with the "here and now" rather than something requiring me to ponder the reason for my being and such contemplative ideals.

A  Breathing out of both nostrils simultaneously (Because of this two-week cold/sinus infection/crap I seriously, haven't been able to...it's WAAAAY underrated).  If it's not stuffed, it's running non-stop.  I have no idea how someone my size can produce so much snot.  

B  Puffs Plus (with lotion) and Vicks! (see answer A above if you doubt me)  

C  Guacamole (I had some avocado with my salad, but it's just not the same)  It's SO not the same.  I need my guac fix pronto!

 

D  Trips away to recharge, refresh and be in the quiet... rocking chairs on a wooden porch... a tin roof in the rain... not a care in the world

 

E  Music... song du jour...

103. How many movies have you gone to see this year?  One.  In fact, I just went yesterday.  I saw a private screening of The Croods.  A DreamWorks animation about cavepeople.  It was cute.  Did I mention that it was in 3D.  Have I ever mentioned that I don't particularly care for movies in 3D?  Did I mention that I had to take Benji with me to this particular screening?  Have you ever tried to get a two-year-old to wear 3D glasses for over an hour while sitting STILL and being QUIET??  Do you want to talk about an ass whip?  THAT was a complete ass whip.  The movie was cute.  I tend to like children's movies almost more than any adult genres for the simple fact that nothing seems original in the world of grown-ups.  They're all sequels and remakes.  So, movies... 3D with a 2 year old.  Ass whip.  Would I do it again?  No.  (The movie, yes?  The taking of the two-year-old, HELL TO THE NO!)

104. If you could have 3 wishes...but none of them could be for yourself, what would you wish for?  I would wish for loving homes for the unwanted, abandoned and abused children and animals.  I would wish great harm and irreversible sickness on those that inflict harm upon children, animals and the elderly.  I would wish my children to learn the lessons of hard work and dedication.

105. In what ways do you relax and de-stress when you are really tense?  Getting in a good walk, run, jog, work-out or ... a big bag of chips with LOTS of guacamole!  

106. How much money would it take to get you to sell your blog address?  I'm not tied to this blog but it is mine.  I'm not for sale and thus neither is it.  Period.  ...but if someone were offering, I'd seriously think about it! 

107. Have you ever been hunting?  I'm a Texan!  Does a one-legged duck swim in a circle?  That being said, I'm not an ADVOCATE for hunting.  Personally, I abhor anyone that needs to kill things to feel powerful and worthy.  If you are going to hunt to say... feed your family....  I have no problem with that.  Sport hunting is, to me, pathetic.  

108. Have you attempted this 5000 question meme in the past?  Never.

109. What do you think of cloning?  I wish I had one...or four.

110. Do you read or watch TV more often?  Read.  I loathe the television.  People try to have conversations with me about episodes of shows I've never seen.... and I just wonder when the last time they actually engaged their mind... painted a scene with their imagination and drew up the schematics for how a developing plot will take shape... over a period of days rather than in a thirty minute time capsule.  Or people that see the movie WITHOUT reading the book -- GASP!  They are the stupidest people of all.

111. With all this talk of terrorism going around are you willing to sacrifice rights and freedoms for increased safety?  Yes, because if the government is really concerned with what I'm corresponding about on my phone or e-mail, they're bored.

112. What is the punishment you would come up with for Osama Bin Laden if you caught him alive?  The same punishment he received.... when he was found.  I do believe, however, that we owed him NO adherence to his faith in terms of burial or such.  I think that is a HUGE disservice to the American people.  

113. Have you ever named an individual part of your body?  No, they were already named when I was born.  Arm, liver, leg, spleen.... etc.  No room for creative enhancement.

114. Have you ever been on the radio or on TV?  Yes.  I was on PM Magazine when I was younger.  Local news a few times and on the Leeza Gibbons show.

115. Have you ever won a lottery, or sweepstakes?  No.  You have to play to win.  I would love to win some type of lottery, however, and give away all the money to help those that need it. THAT would be awesome.  

116. Have you ever won a contest or competition?  Yes.

117. Have you ever watched The Joy of Painting show with Bob Ross (check out this link if you don't know who he is. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Ross_(painter)?  Shamefully, yes... happy little trees.

118. Do you know what your grandparents and your great grand parents did for a living?  Yes.  My paternal grandfather was a truck driver.  At one point he owned two of his own rigs but when that was a wee bit stressful, he worked for Bekins and North American and also for the International Paper Company.  My paternal grandmother worked in a bakery at the grocery store.  She also was a packer for Bekins and North American.  She became a homemaker when her children (my dad and uncle) were small and then she owned her own ceramic business.  She worked hard!  

My maternal grandfather was in the military and ... that's all I know that he did.  My maternal grandmother had seven kids.  I'm going to assume she was at home with them but honestly, I don't know.  How sad.  I need to ask.

As far as great grandparents... not a clue.  

119. Is there anything really interesting in your family history?  of course.  I'm in it.  DUH

120. Is there anyone you trust completely?   I trust ME...and my gut...and instincts.  Hee hee... Yes.  ...with my life... all that I am... and every bit of my happiness.  

31 Day Blog Challenge - Day 3

Day 3 - What makes you happy?

Wow these are loaded questions.  Happiness is such an internal thing... to be able to define a feeling with words is woefully inadequate... plus it is such a subjective thing.  However, what a fun way to create a list...because lists make me happy!  Ha!  Win-win!  This is a list of things that make me happy -- in no particular order

• lists, obviously!
• cleanliness (I live in a home of boys... and dogs!)
• books (the older the better)
• SUVs (shut up... I drive a minivan.  I want a new car... new cars taht ARENT minivans that bottom out on every pothole MAKE ME HAPPY.  It's MY list... piss off!)
• order
• organization
• cooking
• a pair of jeans that fit just right
• mountains
• creativity
• health
• aged, distressed furniture
• giggles
• stars
• cabins
• meaningful conversation
• guacamole
• music (when a GREAT song comes on just when you need it to...)
• puppies
• Colorado
• Batman
• lactic acid build up in my muscles from a day or two before meaning that I KILLED it at the gym!
• fish tacos from Funky Baha's
• flannel
• campfires
• vanilla
• ice cream (and vanilla ice cream...funny how those two just kind of go together)
• photography
• writing
• friends
• fuzzy socks
• vanilla thumbprint cookies from Market Street (sigh)
• Star Wars
• finding money in my pocket
• hammocks
• stillness
• scrapbooking
• casein brownies (OH MUH GAWD those are sinfully delicious but good for you!)
• a good night's sleep (they're a very rare commodity in my current state of living)
• good movies
• fresh strawberries, watermelon and melon!
• doing laundry (SAID NO ONE EVER).... I just wanted to see if you were paying attention)

31 Day Blog Challenge - Day 2

Favorite quotes
Today's "assignment" actually proves quite difficult because I break out certain quotes at certain times but none that I ever would consider my "favorite" because .... well, they all seem to be dependent upon certain circumstances and situations whether to soothe and comfort or encourage.

I am and die-hard and forever Seinfeld fan and will always pull out a "NO SOUP FOR YOU" response in a given situation... Equally wonderful are:

"Look to the cookie, Elaine."
"George likes his chicken spicy."
"I'm out!"  (Kramer, in response to their "master of your domain" challenge.)
"Yadda, yadda, yadda."
"Worlds are colliding, Jerry!" 
"Serenity now!"
... among others.

I frequently break out Ghandi's "You must be the change you want to see in the world."

Or, "This, too, shall pass."

...and as the mother of three boys, "Can't we all just get along."

One I love is from the brilliant Aristotle, "We are what we repeatedly do; excellence, then, is not an act but a habit."

One of my favorite instructors used to say, "Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there."  But I don't know to whom that quote belongs.  I suppose I could look it up.Sometimes David Allen's "You can do anything, but not everything."

I could totally break out a gazillion Einstein quotes because I love him and quote him daily.    "A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new."  

One of Thoreau's that I love, "Do not be too moral. You may cheat yourself out of much life. Aim above morality. Be not simply good; be good for something."

I think we have all used Alexander Pope's "To err is human, to forgive divine."

"Be good and you will be lonesome," Mark Twain.  

I could break out Freud, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Ben Franklin, Abe Lincoln... there are little gold nuggets all through literature, science and life... knowing when to break them out is key.