13 posts tagged “life”

How do you feel about your birthday?  Do you look forward to it and remind all your friends, or do you dread it and try to keep it a secret?

Birthdays are pretty much non events for me.  My parents didn't make a big deal about any of our birthdays when we were growing up and as mine is shortly after Christmas (Jan. 15) even my gifts were usually afterthoughts.  I'd get something big for Christmas and then something to go with it for my birthday (like the year I got a stereo for Christmas and headphones for my birthday).  When I was a kid in school the first semester always ended the week of my birthday and so I was often taking semester tests that day.  Yippee!

As an adult I just don't make a big deal out of it most years.  I do insist upon having a big party every ten years, though.  This started with my 30th birthday.  At my friend Debbi's insistence we had a big party with lots of friends at my parents' house.  It was a lot of fun and that's when I decided to go with the once every 10 years thing.  For my 40th birthday I had my party at Chuck E. Cheese.  Ken and I were dating at the time.  I think the fact that he was still willing to marry me after hosting that party says a lot.  For my 50th birthday I want to go to Disney World.  I've never been there and think it needs to be done.  WenDragon has already agreed to join us and I expect John to be there, too.

What do you do with the cards and letters you receive?  Do you keep them all, just keep the photos, throw them away? 
Inspired by jacolily.

For the most part I throw them out.  I keep enclosed photos and such.  I do have a small stash of cards and letters I save depending on who they are from.  A couple of cards I have even framed and hung on the wall because I really liked the fronts.  

Have you ever backed out on doing something you promised you'd do? Did you have a good reason for going back on your word? 
Submitted by enSue.

I make it a policy not to back out on my promises, but I'm only human.  If I do back out on one I try to have a valid reason for doing so, but I'm only human.

What are your rituals or traditions for starting off a new year?  

Black Eyed Peas.

100_2695

5 strips bacon
1 onion, chopped
2 cans black eyed peas
1 can Rotel tomatoes and chilis
1 cup uncooked rice
1 cup water

Cut bacon into 1/2" pieces and cook over high heat.  When it's as done as you like it add onion and continue cooking until onion is tender.  Add two cans of black eyed peas and the can of Rotel.  Do not drain any of them.  Reduce heat and let simmer for about 2 hours.  Add 1 cup water and 1 cup uncooked rice.  Continue to simmer until rice is tender; about 20 minutes.  Eat.

When did you really get to make a difference for someone else? 
Submitted by bodhibound.

When I was born.  My parents thought they were done having children (my sisters are 6 and 9 years older than I am).  I've pretty much been a source of frustration and confusion to them ever since.

What is your daily commute like?  What is the weirdest thing you've seen on that commute? 
Submitted by E. 

My commute

What are your irrational fears? 
Submitted by Dan Culhane.  

I'd say my biggest irrational fear is making phone calls.  That's right.  Normal people don't think twice about picking up the phone to call someone.  I don't get quite as freaked out about it as I used to, but it's still a very hard thing for me to do.  If my call is expected I'm usually OK with it, but calling someone out of the blue can darn near send me into a full fledged panic attack.  Doesn't make any difference whether I'm calling family, a friend, or a stranger.  Doesn't matter why I'm calling.  It's all the same to me.  This was my biggest downfall as a teacher.  When I needed to call a parent with a problem I couldn't.  Just couldn't do it.  That's bad.

Show us something good about Mondays.

Two_and_a_half_men

1 comment

What are some ways you save money? 
Submitted by Pixiemom.  

Cooking from scratch.  Not only is it cheaper -- it's healthier and better tasting.  And usually doesn't take any longer that using "convenience" foods.  

Show us how you're spending the day after Thanksgiving.

Working--

Gammill

And making a pot of turkey soup* (I got to bring home the dead carcass!)--

Turkey soup