One Year Ago Tonight

Still gives me chills and brings tears to my eyes. I will forever remember hyperventilating and trying not to puke during the final seconds of the game, even with a 4-1 lead😀 What a crazy ride it was! #playgloria #wewentblues

Thursday 13: 13 Things That Have Happened In My Life During My 7 Year Blogging Absence

Click on the pic above to play along!

1. Backes-At the time of my last blog entry, I had an 11 year old black pug named Mushi Mu. Mushi started showing signs of illness in May 2013 and tests determined he was suffering from diabetes, kidney failure, and severe pancreatitis. His quality of life had taken a downward spiral, and as much as it broke our hearts, we decided to end his suffering. He passed away in my Mom's arms. Neither mom or I had plans to own another dog until December of that same year when the director of our local no kill animal shelter contacted us about a pug mix that was arriving from a shelter in St. Louis.  Mom went to meet him in person and the first thing he did in the acquaintance room was lift his leg and pee on her! Mom was like, "That's it...he's ours!" 😁 We named him Backes, after David Backes of the St. Louis Blues. He's stubborn, smart, and likes to get into mischief, but he has brought great joy into our lives. He's my Backydoodle, Doodlebug, Doodlydoo, and Turd Ferguson (when he's naughty).

2. Pippin- I got to spend 15 wonderful years with my beautiful tiger striped tabby cat, Pippin Took. Unfortunately, he started suffering from health problems in spring 2019, and by the time I made the difficult decision to euthanize him, he was down to 10 lbs. For most of his adult life, he was a big boy who weighed 18-20 lbs. October 2, 2019 was one of the hardest days of my life. He went to sleep peacefully while I held his paws, kissed him, and told him what a good boy he was. There will never be another kitty like him.

3. Jolene- I was surprised as hell when my sister called me on the night of January 20, 2017 to tell me she was pregnant. At that time, she had a 10 year old, Madilyn, and a 9 year old, Claire, so we all thought her diaper days were far behind her. Her husband Justin had always told her they could have another baby when the Cubs won the World Series, thinking 1) it would never happen and 2) in the slim chance that it did happen, Sara would be too old. Lo and behold, the Cubs did the unthinkable and won the World Series in November 2016, and on August 23, 2017, Jolene Anne made her debut. Justin kept his word!

Wednesday Hodge Podge

1. Last thing you said yes to? Did you regret it?
I lent money to my best friend. I didn't regret it because it helped her buy groceries for her family. Times are tough right now and if I can help someone out, I will.

2. No big deal, no contest, no dice, no hard feelings, no ifs ands or buts, no kidding, no offense, no pain no gain, no way...choose one and tell us how it applies to your life currently.
No if ands or buts, if you're not angered by what happened to George Floyd, or turn a blind eye to the racial injustice and prejudice in this country, kindly remove yourself from my life.

3. Thursday June 11th is National Making Life Beautiful Day...in this strange season how are you adding beauty to your days/life?
Planting flowers, feeding my bird and squirrel friends, painting kindness rocks for people to find.

4. According to an article found here, these six foods taste better in June than at any other time of the year-strawberries, asparagus, peas, peaches, beets, and garlic. How many of these have you tasted so far this month? Anything on the list you'd say 'no thank you' to trying? Rearrange the list starting with your favorite (1) to your least favorite (6).
I loathe asparagus and beets. The remaining foods would be ranked: 1. Strawberries 2. Peas 3. Peaches 4. Garlic

5. Describe your current mood in three words.
Overwhelmed, disgusted, heartbroken

6. Insert your own random thought here.

How To Annoy Me

Never like or comment on any of my Facebook posts, but the second I post something political that you don't agree with, there you are. <eye roll>

Tuesday 4: All That Glitters

Play along here.

1. Everyone has a birth stone and a birth flower. What are yours?

Amethyst and Violets for February. So much purple!

2. Gold glitters and California is the Golden State.  What is your state called?

3. "All that glitters is not gold' goes the old saying. Do you have a favorite saying or biblical verse you will share with us?

That's me in a nutshell. I refuse to give up on a problem or task until I solve it.

 4.Glittery greeting cards or plain? Which is your preference?

I really don't have a preference, but if I had to choose, I'd pick plain, because most of the funny cards are plain (I tend to gravitate towards humorous cards, unless it's a somber occasion) I'm ashamed to admit this, but the first thing I check is the cost. I hate spending money on items that most people will end up tossing in the garbage. 

13

This fierce beauty, my middle niece Claire, turns 13 years old today. 13! Where the heck did the time go?!? I can’t believe she’s now an official teenager who will be going into eighth grade this fall. Seems like only yesterday she was running around in Justin Bieber pajamas,  telling everyone she wanted  to be a professional wrestler when she grew up😆

Well, she’s gotten over Bieber (thank God!), and while she still enjoys wrestling and the WWE, her current focus is on gymnastics and cheerleading. Perfect outlets for her abundant energy! Claire has competed in statewide gymnastic meets over the past 3 years and has won several awards and trophies, but now that she is into cheerleading, that has taken precedent. It would be too stressful and time consuming for her, and her parents, to keep both activities. Not to mention expensive.

No matter what she does in life, proud auntie here will always be there cheering her on. Love you, sweet girl!

Sunday Stealing: Would You Rather Edition

Play along here!

* Would you rather work in a group or work alone?
This sounds odd coming from a loner like me, but I'd rather work in a group, with one caveat: every member of the group must do his/her assigned task. I've been in groups before where I have done the brunt of the work while my co-workers sat back and did nothing. As annoying as that can be, I'd still miss the camaraderie of being around people. 

* Would you rather be stuck on an island alone or with someone who talks incessantly?
I'd rather be with someone who talks incessantly, as long as the island is big enough for me to have my own quiet hideaway. I don't want to end up like Tom Hanks in Cast Away, talking to a volleyball.

* Would you rather be too hot or too cold?
Too cold. It's much easier to layer clothes and snuggle under blankets than it is to cool off.

* When you’re old, would you rather die before or after your spouse?
I'm not married, but if I was, I'd rather go first.

* Would you rather have a cook or a maid?
A cook, please. I kind of enjoy cleaning. It's therapeutic.

* Would you rather be the youngest or the oldest sibling?
I'm the oldest sibling and I'm definitely okay with that.

* Would you rather get rich through hard work or through winning the lottery?
I'd rather get rich through hard work. Winning the lottery would bring a lot of people out of the woodwork, acting phony around me in the hopes that I'd give them money. No thanks.

* Would you rather have a 10-hour dinner with a headstrong politician from an opposing party, or attend a 10-hour concert for a music group you detest?
The headstrong politician. As long as there's food and alcohol, I can sit there, smile, and let his/her word diarrhea go in one ear and out the other.

* Would you rather be an Olympic gold medalist or a Nobel Peace Prize winner?
Nobel Peace Prize, for sure. I'd like to contribute something helpful to the people of the world. 

* Would you rather have a desk job or an outdoor job?
A desk job. I'm not a fan of being outdoors for longer than I have to be. Especially in the summer, being a redhead who burns rather quickly.


* Would you rather live at the top of a tall NYC apartment building or at the top of a mountain?
The NYC apartment. There'd be more to do in the city than on top of a mountain.

* Would you rather have Rambo or The Terminator on your side?
The Terminator, only because he'd be harder for our enemies to destroy.

* Would you rather be proposed to in private or in front of family and friends?
Private. I hate being the center of attention and would much rather keep the intimate moment between myself and my partner.

* Would you rather have to sew all your clothes or grow your own food?
I'd love to be able to sew my own clothes. My paternal grandmother and great-grandmother could sew like professionals, but that gene unfortunately skipped me.


* Would you rather hear the good news or the bad news first?
Get the bad news out of the way first.  Why have good news ruined seconds later by the bad?

* Would you rather be your own boss or work for someone else?
It would depend on the work. 


* Would you rather have nosy neighbors or noisy neighbors?
I've had both and much prefer the nosy over the noisy.

* Would you rather be on a survival reality show or dating game show?
Neither! Especially the survival reality show. Have you seen Naked and Afraid? Why the hell would anyone voluntarily sign up for that experience?

* Would you rather be too busy or be bored?
Too busy. 

* Would you rather watch the big game at home or live at the stadium.
Live at the stadium. Sure, you get a front row seat watching the game at home, but nothing can compare to being among your fellow fans, feeding off their energy and excitement. Or having someone to commiserate with if your team isn't doing so hot.

* Would you rather spend the day with your favorite athlete or you favorite movie star?
My favorite movie star. Tom Hiddleston, I'm talking to you.

* Would you rather live where it is constantly winter or where it is constantly summer?
Ugh! Can't I have constant autumn? Okay fine, I choose constant summer. I hate bugs, but I'd rather deal with them than driving on ice and snow covered roads.

* Would you rather travel the US and see the sights in a motor home or by plane?
The motor home. I'd love to travel the US in this manner after I retire. That is, if I get to retire.

* Would you rather be a little late or way too early?
Early. Lateness is one of my many pet peeves.

* Would you rather have an unlimited gift certificate to a restaurant or a clothing store?
The clothing store. I shouldn't get in the habit of eating out. Plus, I'm kind of paranoid about unfamiliar people preparing my food.


* Would you rather date someone you met online or go on a blind date?
That's a tough one. I'd rather be introduced to someone via a friend, even if that hasn't always worked out.

And It Only Took 2,350 Days

1. What did you do in 2013 that you'd never done before? I finally solved that damn Cracker Barrel Triangle Puzzle game. It was probably a fluke, but after 20+ years of trying, I'll take it.
2.Did you keep your New Years' Resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I didn't make any resolutions at this time last year. I knew I wouldn't keep them, so why bother? Same for this year.
3.Did anyone close to you give birth? No.
4.Did anyone close to you die? Unfortunately, yes. My Great-Uncle Skeet and my Grandma Boyer passed away within a week of each other in August. My Great-Aunt Alice died in October. My cousin Terry passed away on Christmas Eve. And our pug, Mushi Mu, had to be euthanized in May.
5.What countries did you visit? Are you kidding? Missouri was the farthest I traveled this year.
6.What would you like to have in 2014 that you lacked in 2013? Happiness. Organization. Physical energy. Financial stability. Significant weight loss. Less credit card debt.
7.What date from 2013 will remain etched upon your memory? January 6 (NHL lockout ended). May 20 (Mushi died). August 10 (Grandma Boyer died). October 12 (Blues vs. Rangers game). November 17 (the Pekin/Washington tornados). December 21 (adopted Backes).
8.What was your biggest accomplishment? Continuing to learn basic sign language. I still have a long way to go, but I love it. And I'm becoming a Smart Board whiz.
9.What was your biggest failure? Giving in to depression, self-doubt, anxiety, and other negative feelings. Wasting time. Getting addicted to that damn Candy Crush Saga.
10.Did you suffer any illness or injury? Other than my constant battle with anemia, there was nothing major. Just a bladder infection in January, some female issues in the spring, and a bad head cold in June.
11.What was the best thing you bought? An Apple iPad and a Vitamix blender. I am addicted to smoothies.
12.Whose behavior merited celebration? Pope Francis. Anyone who volunteered their time or donated money to help victims of the devastating Central Illinois tornados. Sen. Wendy Davis (D-Texas).
13.Whose behavior made you appalled? Congress. Teahadists. Douchebags playing the "Knockout" game. Rob "Crackhead" Ford. Anthony "Look At My" Weiner. Kanye West. Rush Limbaugh. I would go on, but the list would never end.
14.Where did most of your money go? The gas tank. Credit card bills. Groceries.
15.What did you get really, really, really excited about? The NHL lockout ending. Adopting a new dog.
16.What song will always remind you of 2013? "Blurred Lines" by Robin Thicke. "Get Lucky" by Daft Punk. "Best Day Of My Life" by American Authors. "The Fox (What Does The Fox Say?)" by Ylvis.
17.Compared to this time last year, are you: i. happier or sadder? sadder /ii. thinner or fatter? fatter /iii. richer or poorer? poorer ( due to having a car payment again).
18.What do you wish you'd done more of? Saved money. Controlled my eating. Exercised. Stood up for myself.
19.What do you wish you'd done less of? Sleep. Worry excessively. Overeat. Analyze other peoples' words or actions. Jump to conclusions.
20.Did anyone close to you get married in 2013? My cousin Amanda and her husband Miguel were married on October 19th.
21.How many one night stands? Gross.
22.What was your favorite TV program? Arrested Development. The Big Bang Theory. Super Fun Night. Bob's Burgers. Game of Thrones. Call The Midwife. Bates Motel. The Millers. Duck Dynasty. Here Comes Honey Boo Boo. True Blood. American Horror Story. The Walking Dead. Doctor Who. Mad Men. Real Time With Bill Maher. Moonshiners. Finding Bigfoot. Porter Ridge. 2 Broke Girls. The Goldbergs. Wilfred. Yeah, I watch A LOT of tv.
23.Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate at this time last year? Hate is a strong word, so let's just say that there are certain people in my life right now whom I'm not pleased with... and leave it at that.
24.What was the best book that you read? Bad Monkey by Carl Hiaasen; Inferno by Dan Brown; Joyland by Stephen King; Tell The Wolves I'm Home by Carol Rifka Brunt; A Game Of Thrones and A Clash Of Kings by George R.R. Martin; The Wicked Girls by Alex Marwood; Olive Kitteredge by Elizabeth Strout; Takedown Twenty by Janet Evanovich; Speaking From Among The Bones by Alan Bradley; The Red Tent by Anita Diamant; The Beggar King by Oliver Potzsch.
25.What was your greatest musical discovery? Bastille. I can't get enough of "Pompeii".
26.What did you want and get? The NHL lockout ending. An iPad. A Vitamix. Another dog.
27.What did you want and not get? A Powerball win. The St.Louis Blues making it past the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. A decent Chicago Cubs team. A trip to Disney World...oh hell, a trip ANYWHERE would've been nice.
28.What was your favorite film of this year? The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug; Twelve Years A Slave; Thor: The Dark World; We're The Millers; Bad Grandpa; The Hunger Games: Catching Fire; The Heat; Despicable Me 2; Star Trek: Into Darkness
29.What did you do on your birthday? Went to work. Thrillsville.
30.What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? No deaths. It was a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad year as far as loss was concerned. In addition to the losses mentioned in #4, my best friend Kelly lost her uncle in a February car accident, my friend/co-worker Marie lost her sister in April and then her sister-in-law in May, my cousin Melissa had to have her dog put down in June, my good friend Jen lost her beloved Greyhound in November, and my friend Christy lost her dad on Christmas Day.
31.How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2013? Comfy and casual. Anything that covered my fat ass.
32.What kept you sane? My mother. My best friends (Kelly, Larry, and Jen). Chocolate. Caffeine. Blues hockey. Fangirling. Books. Movies. Cute kitty videos on YouTube.
33.What celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? Tom Hiddleston, Richard Armitage, and Benedict Cumberbatch. Also known as The Holy Trinity of British Hotness.
34.What political issue stirred you the most? I'm not even going to get started on how disgusted I am by a certain party and its politicians who are hell-bent on blocking the President on every single issue. No, he's not perfect and has made mistakes like every other Chief Executive before him, but could you at least act like adults and try to work things out without shutting the government down? And to the male politicians who think it's their right to police women's medical concerns, stay out of our vaginas and put the shut to the up. Thank you.
35.Who do you miss? My grandmother. My grandfathers. Uncle Jerald. Andy. Mushi Mu.
36.Who was the best new person you met? Although I haven't met the following people in person yet, I would have to say Char, Helen, Louise, Angela, the St. Louis Blues Gals, and my 17 Hiddlesisters. God bless Pinterest and Facebook for bringing these friendships into my life! Oh, and I can't forget Ashley N. at work. She shares my love of cupcakes and Sheldon Cooper :)
37.Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2013.

38.Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:

Don't let them in, don't let them see
Be the good girl you always have to be
Conceal, don't feel, don't let them know

"Let It Go"

2012: A Year In Review

1.  What did you do in 2012 that you'd never done before? Rode Expedition Everest at Disney's Animal Kingdom. It may not sound like a major achievement to you, but for a coaster phobe like me, it was a pretty big step out of my comfort zone. I also made my first visit to the Universal Studios theme park in Orlando. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter was amazing!
2. Did you keep your New Years' Resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I didn't make any resolutions at this time last year. I knew I wouldn't keep them, so why bother? Same for this year.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth? My friend Kristina and her husband David welcomed baby Gavin on February 9.
4. Did anyone close to you die? No, thank God.
5. What countries did you visit? Do the countries at EPCOT count? ;)
6. What would you like to have in 2013 that you lacked in 2012? Organization. Physical energy. Financial stability. Significant weight loss. Less credit card debt. NHL hockey.
7. What date from 2012 will remain etched upon your memory? April 4 (the murder mystery dinner at Jen's). June 15-23 (the family trip to Disney). November 6 (Presidential election).
8. What was your biggest accomplishment? Learning basic sign language. I've attended a few bi-monthly classes at Sterling Middle School, and I'm also learning sign from the PBS program, Signing Time!
9. What was your biggest failure? Giving in to depression, self-doubt, anxiety, and other negative feelings. Wasting time.
10. Did you suffer any illness or injury? Other than my constant battle with anemia, there was nothing major. I was pretty healthy this year.
11. What was the best thing you bought? My 2012 Chevrolet Cruze. I love it!
12. Whose behavior merited celebration? The Occupy protestors all over the country (viva the 99%!). Anyone involved in the effort to recall Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker. The Navy Seals who brought down Osama bin Laden. President Obama.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled? James Holmes; Adam Lanza; Rep. Todd "Legitimate Rape" Akin; Richard "God Intended Children Conceived by Rape" Mourdock;  certain members of Congress who are more concerned with destroying the President than with the welfare of their constituents.
14. Where did most of your money go? The gas tank.Credit card bills. Groceries.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? The Disney trip in June. The St.Louis Blues Stanley Cup playoff run in April and May.
16. What song will always remind you of 2012? "Gangnam Style" by PSY; "Ho Hey" by The Lumineers. "Too Close" by Alex Clare. "Whistle" by Flo Rida. "Call Me Maybe" by Carly Rae Jepsen. "The One Thing" by One Direction.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you: i. happier or sadder? neither /ii. thinner or fatter? thinner (by a few pounds) /iii. richer or poorer? poorer ( due to having a car payment again).
18. What do you wish you'd done more of? Saved money. Controlled my eating. Exercised. Stood up for myself.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of? Let my feelings get hurt. Sleep. Worry excessively. Overeat. Analyze other peoples' words or actions. Jump to conclusions.
20. Did you fall in love in 2012? Yeah, right. Apparently, I have nothing to offer the opposite sex.
21. How many one night stands? Gross.
22. What was your favorite TV program? Duck Dynasty. Here Comes Honey Boo Boo. True Blood. American Horror Story. The Walking Dead. The Real Housewives of New Jersey. Dr. Who.  Real Time With Bill Maher. Moonshiners. Finding Bigfoot.
23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate at this time last year? Hate is a strong word, so let's just say that there are certain people in my life right now whom I'm not pleased with... and leave it at that.
24. What was the best book that you read? The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, The Girl Who Played With Fire, and The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larsson; Killing Kennedy: The End of Camelot and Killing Lincoln: The Shocking Assassination That Changed America Forever by Bill O'Reilly; Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs; and Notorious Nineteen by Janet Evanovich.
25. What was your greatest musical discovery? Foster the People. I can't get enough of "Pumped Up Kicks".
26. What did you want and get? See #11. Also, an Obama victory in November.
27. What did you want and not get? A Powerball win. The St.Louis Blues making it past the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. A decent Chicago Cubs team. A 2012-13 NHL season. A ticket to see Paul McCartney perform at the Scottrade Center in St.Louis.
28. What was your favorite film of this year? The Avengers; The Hobbit; Magic Mike; The Hunger Games; Brave; and The Dark Knight Rises.
29. What did you do on your birthday? I had the day off work (thanks, Abraham Lincoln!), so my best friend Kelly and her husband Mark treated me to a matinee of The Woman In Black, starring Daniel Radcliffe.
30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? See #27.
31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2012? Comfy and casual.
32. What kept you sane? My mother. My best friends (Kelly, Larry, and Jen). Chocolate. Caffeine. Blues hockey (at least for the first half of the year). Books. Movies.
33. What celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? Tom Hiddleston and Richard Armitage. Damn these sexy British men!
34. What political issue stirred you the most? The Presidential election, closely followed by health care reform. Quality medical care should be a basic human RIGHT, not a PRIVILEGE!
35. Who do you miss? My grandfathers. Uncle Jerald. Andy. Michael.
36. Who was the best new person you met? Ashley. She had me at "I LOVE the Beatles!" :)
37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2012. People change and things go wrong, but always remember, life goes on.
38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:I am what I am
    And what I am needs no excuses
    I deal my own deck
    Sometimes the ace, sometimes the deuces