Water Cooler Wednesday

..... aka, idle question time!

So, I recently remarked to a co-worker, "I miss gargling with Lavoris."

(Actually, I enjoyed sipping it.)

"That's OK", Brian replied. "I liked to drink the Kaopectate."

Keeping things short 'n sweet ...

Were there any non-USDA approved items you liked to consume as a child?

What happened?

I Am, I Said (x67)

So, over the years I've enjoyed some of my bloggers' Things About Me posts ... and thought it would be a lark to do that, too. 

At first the word 'manifesto' came to mind.  But wow.  That sounds far too grand.  "67 Things" on the occasion of my 67th birthday? (6 months after the fact, you can see how well that turned out.  Nope.  With apologies to Neil Diamond, I am, I said.

I'd love it if you were to pour a cup of coffee (or a glass of wine) and sit awhile.  No offense meant to anyone!  These are simply my simple facts n' foibles.

1. Spanish moss seriously creeps me out.
2. I'm inordinately drawn to odd numbers.
3. Sarah Wrap is NOT my friend.
4. I always drive with both feet ... imagine my left foot as a see-saw, pivoting on my heel.
5. I've taken arriving early to an art form.
6. I'm weary.
7. I think Vladimir Putin is (ahem) darn attractive.
8. I'm a champion worrier.
9. I find a bit of ego very attractive in men ... not so much women.
10. I'm not outwardly emotional, but suspect I sometimes feel more deeply than many folks.
11. I'm not especially fond of the color blue.
12. I'm too serious for my own good.
13. Buttercup yellow, burgundy and forest green are my favorite colors.
14. I'm a chionophile.  ... thank you, Sandra :)
15. My favorite number is 13 ...  that being the number of souls at the Last Supper.
16. I can't won't back up.
17. I've never parallel parked in my life.
18. I pretend to be nonchalant, but truth is, I'm scared to death of air travel.
19. Conversely, I love being on the water - especially when the ocean is rough.
20. The trait I most value in others is sincerity.
21. One of the fastest ways to make me mad/sad is confusing my job with my intelligence.  (Yes, it happens.)
22. I really think driving styles reflect personalities.  'Pretty sure I wouldn't enjoy spending time with an aggressive driver.
23. I'm secure in my Christian faith, but find much beauty in Judaism.
24. I'd almost rather chew thumbtacks than read (and follow) an instruction manual.
25. I believe sushi is a plot by the Japanese to get even for Hiroshima ..... and I refuse to take the 'bait' (lol).
26. I only fruits I like are coconut, lemon, lime and grapefruit.
27. I've difficulty pronouncing the word 'rural.'
28. I'd have loved being a psychiatrist -- but would have found it impossible to remain impassive.
29. I still lift both feet when riding over railroad tracks or a cattle guard. 
30. Please don't ask me, "Are you sure?"  I rarely say anything I don't mean.
31. Keep your sequins and glitter, please.  'Bling' and I aren't compatible.
32. Squirrely!  It drives me start raving mad to have moisture under my rings.
33. I don't understand tattoos.  My first instinct is to grab a soapy washcloth.
34. I'm not typical of my birth sign (Pisces) because I don't particularly like being wet.
35. My biggest fear is developing dementia or Alzheimer's.
36. Heartbroken.  Try as I may, I can't recall the sound of my dad's voice.
37. Despite taking piano lessons for 8 years, I can no longer read a single note of music.
38. I write and eat with my left hand, but my right is dominant in almost everything else.
39. Watching commercial aircraft on final approach each morning I marvel at what it must feel like to trust so completely.
40. Acute hearing is my super power -- but acting otherwise has served me well.
41. I despise pants that fasten below my natural waistline.  A Cher-esque abdomen I've not!
42. I'm not fond of gemstones.
43. Fireworks ...meh.  Give me a box of sparklers and I'm a happy camper!
44. Being an only child I can be selfish; I never had to share or compromise or compete.
45. I've travelled to all 50 states, but remember very few.
46. Not sure why people think it comical when I refer to my hand-held looking glass as my 'rear view' mirror.  (Think about it ...)
47. I'm old enough to know better, but can't resist taking a quick whiff whenever I uncap a Sharpie.
48. I love strong coffee, strong cheese and an over-abundance of Hellman's mayonnaise.
49. I'm OCD about separating taxable/non-taxable items on the grocer's belt.
50. I'm so law-abiding, it's pathetic.  Except for the time when ...
51. ... at the direction of a client's widow, I forged a deceased's signature -- then notarized my own forgery.
52. Happy!  I get a real sense of well-being when breaking out a fat new roll of Charmin.
53. When called for, I can behave in an outgoing manner ... but I'm an introvert by nature.
54. I've never driven (or ridden on) a motorcycle.
55. I have, however, climbed down a steel ladder to the very bottom of a cruise ship while in formal wear.  (Hot and noisy!)
56. Nothing can make my morning like witnessing one of Arizona's spectacular sunrises.   Another chance to get it right!
57. Because I began developing varicose veins in my teens, you will never, ever catch me wearing shorts.
58. "Puff the Magic Dragon" is apt to make me cry.
59. I enjoy wearing nylons (hose).
60. One of my least-favorite things is gift-wrapping.  And it shows.
61. No matter the temperature, I always sleep with one foot out of the covers.
62. I do not express myself well verbally.
63. I've an irrational fear of putting air in my car's tires.
64. I'm deeply sentimental, nostalgic ... and sometimes melancholic.
65. As a professional chauffeur, once I returned a stretch limo missing the front bumper ... with no idea how or when it went AWOL.
66. I don't like going out the day after Christmas.  It makes me really sad to see the poor live trees that weren't chosen.
67. I love my blog friends!
    

                                                     

God willing(!), a decade from now I wonder how many of these will still hold true! 
Will I see you then?


 In the meantime, have yourselves a great new week!

Hugs from Phoenix,

Myra

   

Falling for the Hodgepodge!

Oh what fun it is to ride ... 

along with the gang at Wednesday Hodgepodge!

Thanks for the fun prompts, Joyce!

What's something you'd rate a 10/10?  Why?

White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cheesecake

Have you ever been to the Cheesecake Factory?  I'm not a big sweets lover, but their creations are what I imagine Mr. God serves at his dinner table!

What job would you be terrible at?  What makes you think so?

So many things!  

I once thought being an OTR truck driver would be cool.  Unfortunately, I don't like to won't use my mirrors and can't even park my Camry in reverse.

Have you ever watched those guys maneuvering their trailers?  Amazing!

Something else.  It's not very nice, but I might not resist getting up close and riding the bumpers of bullies in their big pick-m-up trucks who get a kick out of tailgating  smaller cars in front of them. 

See how it feels?

When did you last take a fall?  What's something you're falling for (in a good way) these days?

A couple of years ago the tip of my shoe caught on a curb and I went down most unceremoniously right outside my office.  (I wrote about it then, "Bones Don't Bounce.")

These days?  I can't wait to fall in love with a small town where folks smile at strangers ... who mean it when they say, "How are you?"

According to the Travel Channel, here are some of America's best fall festivals.  Have you ever been to any of them?  Which one appeals to you most?

National Apple Harvest Festival (near Arendtsville, PA, close to Gettysburg), Harvest on the Harbor (Portland, ME), German Village Festival (Columbus, OH), Wellfleet Oyster Fest (Cape Cod), and Wine and Chile Fiesta (Santa Fe, NM).

Having grown up just north of Santa Fe - loving all things spicy - the Fiesta jumped out.

Except! My 'druthers' point towards Columbus, Ohio in honor of my German heritage.

What is your 'good-bye" message to summer?

The noble part of me might quote Ecclesiastes 3:1-8.   

But my inner child expresses it best .....

Insert your own random thought here --

I'm not a fan of SNL, but this cracked me up!

(Because ... when we first adopted 'Alexa', Tom could never get her name right and kept calling her Alexis or Alice.  LOL)

Have a blessed day!

Hugs from Phoenix,

Myra

Letters

I'm not setting myself up for failure any more by titling these "Friday" Letters.  Yep, I'm late.  Again.

So, during each morning's 'cone of silence' commute my brain practically explodes with blog ideas.  I've taken to keeping index cards at the ready, but when evening arrives I've little-to-no initiative.  

Suppose this falls into the science of biorhythms?

'Just curious.  Have you a certain time of day set aside to blog ... when your 'spark plugs' get to buzzing?

* * *

Dear DH:

I really should be flattered that you wanted my opinion.  But a toilet?  Seriously?  

You know home improvement emporiums aren't my thing, but I was astounded at the variety (and prices) of 'thrones.'  

In the 'end', I don't care!  

PS -

Thank you for installing the pot.  Oh, and for prying me away from the pretty faucets aisle.

Dear Tree Doctor:

I'm mighty relieved to hear our ground water supply wasn't contaminated; that our little tree had plenty of moisture.  

But you're telling us it died from sunburn?  

I never heard of that before!

Dear Sarah,

Grandpa Tom and I were thrilled to learn you were about to begin your career at the hospital where you interned. 

Who could have guessed, your mentor who 'practically promised' you that job failed to research the fine print ... that it was a Masters-level position, not a bachelors.

Nevertheless, I'm so proud of your resolve.  Your optimism and innate compassion will get you far.   I love you!

Dear Momma in Heaven,

Witnessing the recent hurricanes' devastation, I've felt helpless and heartsick.  You've been heavy on my mind ... memories!

I'm so sorry we didn't take you more seriously.  Each year you made it a point to attend the hurricane readiness seminar ... arriving early, so as to get a seat up front.   You -- a poster child for hurricane readiness -- even purchased 'do-it-yourself' storm shutters from a door-to-door salesman.  You always said, "When the hurricane comes...."  Never "if."

DIL Lois and Mother at PassaGrille Beach

Bittersweet.  Only a few months after you passed away, Hurricane Charley swept across the Gulf coast ... destroying one of your Happiest Places on earth:  Punta Gorda's Village Oyster Bar. 

Troy later remarked, "Well, gram finally got her hurricane"  ... as we enjoyed your favorite cocktail, the Godmother.

So, I consulted Google this morning and discovered the Oyster Bar is permanently closed.  Almost seems fitting.

Dear News Anchors,

After 15 years I should be accustomed to your euphemisms.  (I'm sorry, I still don't consider 110-degrees 'warm.')  Still, I sat up straight last week when I heard you warn of an approaching cold front.  

Never mind that in "Phoenix speak" that means highs in the 90's.  I'll take it! ... and you gave me a good laugh.

(Thank you, Mr. God.) 

... and thank you for visiting.  Have a great week, everyone!

Hugs from Phoenix,

Myra

      

Home sweet home?

Happy Labor Day, m'friends!

Today's not a company holiday, but I elected to burn a PTO day -  because it's DH's and my 13th (woot!) anniversary ..... and frankly, I'm feeling a bit like a slug.

  

I'd hoped we might go for (years-overdue) pedicures, but yesterday I drove a sliver of ceramic tile up into the bottom of my foot.  Not cool.

Did I mention?  Between Tom and another fella's efforts, we've nearly 9 sq. ft. of new flooring in the master bath!

Him:  "Ya, it only took us 14 years."  LOL.

* * *

Yes, the long-distance house hunt continues ... mine at a fevered pitch; DH not so much.

Sometimes compromise bites!  (*smile*)

Nevertheless, I have to appreciate Tom's 'wait and see' approach.

More than a thousand miles away, I'm ooh-ing and aah-ing over a butler's pantry ... then he goes and points out what looks like missing structural supports and a sagging roof line.

 The cottage at iconic Lake Martin tipped the scales for both of us...

... but sits at the tippy-top of our budget.  Not realistic, when given our ages and health history.  Sigh.

So, Belyn-the-realtor has cautioned me not to be pinning my hopes on anything in particular.  

Too late.  Each morning I jump out on Zillow to make sure 'my' finalists are still there.
Both are virtually the same price and 1500-1600 sq. ft.

Bachelor #1 

.....has a new 30-year roof, new HVAC unit, new paint and flooring.

But!
Bachelor #2's 1970's look sings to my heart.

I'm even guilty of arranging furniture and deciding where to hang Tom's favorite (enormous) painting.

Anyone wanna bet I can't wait until November?

Oh, by the way!  How'd popcorn ceilings get such a bad rap?  It doesn't bother me, but to watch HGTV you'd think it emits asbestos.  Or something.

Since we hope to market our place in a few months (without breaking the bank)  I'm interested in knowing what's Important - or, what's a turn-off? - to you when looking for a new home?

* * *

I've not mentioned the horrendous states of affairs in Texas and Montana, but I suspect every one of us is holding those victims in our prayers every day.  I'm feeling pretty dog-gone blessed ..... aren't you?

Have yourselves a wonderful new week!

Hugs from Phoenix,

Myra