Totally Random Answers to a Dozen Questions

Just in case you weren't aware of what day of the week it is, it's Random Day! Below are some really really (seriously, Lid outdid herself this week) random questions. After you leave comments on my blog, click this link and head over to read more answers before hooking up with your own.


1. Please share one memory of your high school graduation. Pics would be great!

When I spoke at my high school graduation, I burst into tears and sobbed through my speech, sounding a whole lot like an adult in a Peanuts' cartoon. (Mwah, wah, wah, wah-wah.) I have dear friends that still remind me of that defining moment in my high school career.

2. What is one "emergency use" item you keep in your vehicle at all times?
An extra pair of shoes. You never know when you're going to have a shoe emergency.

3. In your region, do you celebrate graduation open houses? Addendum: (If so,) how many open houses/bridal showers/weddings are on your upcoming events calendar?
I have very few on the events' calendar. Apparently I know few people who are educated or marriage-compatible. 

4. Tell me one truth you believe about motherhood.
The amount you can guilt your children is directly related to the number of hours you spent in labor, bringing them into the world.

5. What was the last thing you broke?
Probably the speed limit.

6. On average, how many pieces of junk mail do you receive daily?
Since stopping junk mail is almost impossible, I decided to rename my kids. My oldest is now "Resident" and my youngest is "Current Occupant".

7. Do you like to shop by catalog?
I'll shop anyway I can get it.

8. Is lawn maintenance at your house a "his job," a "her job" or "his/her job" or "that's why we have teenagers" job?
No one claims lawn duty at our house. We haul out the machete and hack our way out to the vehicles every morning.  Just kidding. It's the boys' job. Why do you think I had so many of them? (See #4)

9. Which room would you like to redecorate in your home?
I refuse to pick only one because then all the other rooms would be jealous.

10. Do you read a newspaper regularly, or do you read most of your news on line?
I get most of my news from the neighbors. Oh wait. I guess that's not really news so much as gossip.

11. Do you believe everything happens for a reason?
No. I think the mullet was completely spontaneous. And totally unnecessary. The same goes for shoulder pads.

12. Are you more worried about doing things right, or doing the right things?
Truthfully, there's always a right way and a wrong way to do things. But in all honestly, you can get so tied up in trying to make sure things are done right that you paralyze yourself and end up doing nothing. I would hate to have it said of me that I never did anything right. I would hate more to have it said of me that I never did anything.

Purses and Parties

For those of you that read my post on Friday, here is a picture of my wonderful new purse. I have to say the picture doesn't do it justice, in spite of the artfully draped sheet that I used as background. The purse looks black here, but trust me, it's the most gorgeous shade of forest green. I absolutely love it. (Did I mention that already?)

The best part of the purse is the Designer label smack dab in the front. I make sure I carry the purse so the label shows discreetly. After all, what's the point in carrying a designer bag if no one realizes it?

And this other picture is from the banquet I went to Friday night. I realize it's not the best, but I didn't take my camera and I have to go with what I had. The beading on my top made it a little heavy, so I decided I needed a little help to keep things in place. For that reason I bought a body shaper. I had no illusions about it's magical effect, but I did figure it would help in keeping everything lying smoothly and in place. That would make me fidget less and give me one less thing to worry about for the evening.

As I mentioned on Friday, I didn't want to wear the whole outfit for the two hour drive, so I did the hair and makeup and then changed at the country club. I arrived fifteen minutes before the banquet started--way early for me normally, but not early enough when you want to change after getting there. I grabbed my gymbag and my dress and made my way through the throngs of formally dressed ladies in search of a bathroom. Five minutes to dress, a minute to calm down and catch my breath and I would be ready to shine.

Did I mention the bathroom had no air conditioning? I don't know why--someone should tell the management that we live in Florida. Air conditioning in tiny interior rooms is mandatory. I went into a stall and tried not to mess up my hair and makeup or sweat too much while getting dressed.

When I finally finished, I went traipsing out of the bathroom in my formal gown--and dragging along my Planet Fitness gymbag. Fortunately I found a place to stash it, and joined the ladies for the banquet. Between my rushing around and the warm bathroom, I felt quite flushed and out of breath. I even begged off from posing for the professional photographer they had on hand because I didn't want my radioactive glow to be recorded for posterity.

I calmed down during the meal, but I never completely cooled off. I do think my talk went very well-it was not recorded so you'll have to take my word for it. I was quite witty and funny. Unfortunately, I think I was memorable for a different reason.

After the banquet I was supposed to follow the pastor's wife over to her house, where I'd left one of my sons playing with her boys. While I waited for them to finish collecting all the decorations and get ready to leave, I chatted with a few of the ladies standing near me. I began to realize just how warm I was, and I began fanning myself with my folded notes. That didn't cool me off, so I sipped ice water and fanned some more. Then I actually felt a bead of sweat trickle down my brow.

And panic set in. What on earth was the matter with me? Had they already turned off the air conditioning in the rest of the building? Was I developing a glandular problem? Had early menopause hit me right here at the end of this banquet?

By now I was afraid I'd be remembered for my sweating instead of my wit. I surreptitiously dabbed my face with one of the linen napkins, and was horrified to see the smear of makeup I left on it. I folded the makeup to the inside, dropped the napkin to the table and prayed for the evening to end.

You will be happy to know I do not have a strange medical condition. I may have a strange mental condition, but that's another post. When I got to the pastor's wife's house, I went into a back room to change. And that's when I realized that body shaper could probably keep me insulated in temperatures fifty degrees below zero. You'd think they would have advertised that on the tag!

So the talk went pretty well, but I'm not sure when I'll ever be asked back. Maybe if they ever have a picnic theme? Denim and cotton are much more along the lines of my comfort zone!

The Most Important Thing

There's so much I could be blogging about right now.

I can always talk about my husband's surgery and recovery. Still in pain, but getting slightly better.

I can blog about the boys and their latest shenanigans. But frankly, after using the word shenanigans, I think anything else would be anti-climactic.

I could blog about the ladies' banquet I am supposed to speak at tonight. I have a great dress, but I also have a two hour drive, and the dress was not made to wear while driving for two hours. Since I'm the speaker, and since they're holding this thing at a country club, I don't want to show my plebeian roots by changing after I get there. Suggestions?

And now I've used two big words in this post. I'm not sure how much longer this can go on.

I could talk about the fact that, in anticipation of my speaking engagement, I got my hair cut and I also got a manicure and a pedicure. I could mention the fact that I was unaware of how far I had let myself go until I saw the results of some much-needed grooming.

But what I really want to blog about is my purse.

I'm very picky about purses. I like them a certain shape. And a certain material. They have to have certain features. One feature I require is reinforced straps as I tend to fill my purses so full that the straps often break. My current purse was still intact, but all the stitching was coming out of the straps. Meaning my purse looked like it needed a serious shave.

So yesterday (after the luxury of a manicure and pedicure) I went shopping for a few items and decided to check out the purses at Kohls. I am not someone who has to have designer items. I am often happy with cheaper things that don't have famous names on them. However, Kohls has a display of bags from Simply Vera Wang at the very front of their handbag section. I've often liked the looks of those bags, but other stopping for a moment to admire them, I don't contemplate getting one.

However, yesterday at Kohl's on their clearance rack, I found a forest green purse from Simply Vera Wang. It was a $90.00 purse, but it was marked down to $26.00. I did a happy dance and bought it immediately.

I love my new purse. And I love most that I got it 70% off.

My only regret is that I don't have a picture to share with you. I haven't had the opportunity to take one, but I will try to post one by Monday.

Did I mention I love my purse? And that's why I chose to blog about it. Because for the moment, it is the most important thing.

I'm so easy to please!

Take A Good Night's Sleep and Call Me in the Morning

How much sleep do you need in order to function? I don't think we ever realize how much sleep we need until we go without some for a while. My sleep has been hit-and-miss for the last week since my husband had surgery. Since he's been in the guest room on the first floor, I've been sleeping on the couch. I've been up with him multiple times during the night, and I grabbed little catnaps during the day when I could.

I knew the couch was hurting my lower back. It took me a while every morning to work out the kinks as I moved around. But I also thought I was getting more sleep than I actually was.

Each day I felt worse and worse. And I actually looked worse and worse. I was still doing my hair and putting on makeup, but the end results were that I looked a little, as one person commented, rough.

Yesterday I was apparently a little more cranky than usual. Terry's been doing some better--still in pain and still needing help--but things are improving. He finally told me to go sleep in our own bed last night. I didn't want to at first, but he talked me into it. He had his cell phone, and he would call me on my phone if he needed anything.

So last night I settled down into my own bed. I fell asleep and slept soundly for eight hours. And my husband survived quite well without me. This morning for the first time I woke up without feeling drugged. There was no morning fog in my brain. I actually got something accomplished before I headed into work.

In short, I no longer look "rough".

I like this sleeping through the night thing. I may actually try it again sometime.

Gotta Love the Random!

That's right, sports fans! It's time for another Random Dozen. You know the rules: read the questions and answers. Laugh loudly at my wit. Leave a fun comment. Click here to head over to Lid's so you can link up with your own questions. Let the fun begin!





1. What was the last thing about which you procrastinated?

Ummmm, I'll have to get back to you on that.


2. How long does it take you to fall asleep, and do you sleep through the night?

Lately I fall asleep any time I sit still for very long. Makes driving a challenge. Sleep through the night? Hardly. Now that my kids don't wake me up that much anymore my bladder has decided to take over.

3. Which decade would you choose to exemplify your favorite fashion styles?

I prefer to dress in the current decade and style because dressing in dated fashions looks ... dated. The real question is, are we at the end of one decade or the beginning of another one?

4. What is your personal best dish to feed a crowd?

That would be the bucket of chicken I get from KFC. I've never messed one up yet.

5. Are you an impulse shopper? What was the last thing you bought on impulse?

A colon cleanser. Don't ask.

6. What is one wish you have for your own funeral?

I'll wish I weren't dead.

7. If it's true that joy is in found in the simple things in life, what does your joy look like today?

Joy is my pillow. Happiness is my blanket. Sheer and unutterable bliss is my bed. You decide: am I lyrical or just tired?

8. What is your favorite type of bread?

The kind you get when you make a lot of dough.

9. What trait do you fear developing the most? (Laziness, greediness, grumpiness, etc.)

The wording of this question assumes I have not already developed those traits.

10. What trait would you like most to develop?

Which trait would I like to develop out of laziness, greediness or grumpiness? Actually, I think I've got them all down pat.

11. Which room in your house best reflects your personality? Why?

The laundry room. I've got some great equipment in there with a lot of potential, but it's often lost under the every day reality of dirty laundry.

12. How do you maintain balance in your life regarding, work, family, church, other organizations and activities, and blogging?

If you know me at all, you know that I don't balance any of it very well. It's one mad scramble to keep all those plates spinning on their sticks.


Now hurry and write a comment before you head over to Lid's. You know you want to!

Florence Nightengale, Where Are You?

Bandaids make it all better.

Thermometers can help your temperature.

Kisses and a cool cloth for your forehead.

That kind of nursing I get. I can do that. I've done it for all my children. Soothing words, a gentle stroke of the hair and Mommy makes it all better.

Unfortunately, recovering surgery patients need a little more than that.

Equally unfortunately, I have nothing else to give.

Oh, I try. But when my husband was in the hospital, I don't think I actually made things any easier. For one thing, there's not a lot of room to move around, and I'm not a model of grace. I stepped forward to help him, and drove the bedside table literally into the side of the bed. Then when I tried to move the bedside table out of the way, it kept getting stuck on something under the bed.

Terry asked me to raise his bed a little bit. I hit the wrong button and instead of raising his head, his feet when flying up in the air.

I took his hand to help raise him up, but I caught hold of his IV instead.

I gave him a pain pill and then held his cup so he could sip through the straw. But I tipped the cup the wrong way, and he couldn't get any liquid in order to swallow the pill.

I knocked his cup over and spilled ice all over his tray. And a little on him.

As I mourned my lack of ability to a friend, she assured me that Terry would still have a quick recovery. I felt relieved until she added, "If for no other reason than self-preservation."

I think I need a bigger bandaid.

Indiana Update

I was going to write something funny and witty about my complete lack of ability as a nurse, but that will have to wait for another day. I have no wit left, and at the moment my humor doesn't make sense. I didn't mean to leave you all hanging, but just after my last update we lost our internet connection. I didn't have the time or energy to attempt dealing with the cable company until this past weekend.

Thank you all for praying for Indiana. He came home from the hospital on Friday. He's in a great deal of pain from the surgery, but we are encouraged about the results of surgery. Already we're seeing small indications that the nerves into his arm and hand might be coming back to life.

At the moment he's in a neck brace/collar and has to stay in it for at least the next four weeks. Being still and quiet has never been his strong suit, so we would appreciate prayers as he works his way back from surgery. I am his caregiver and will be his driver for the next four weeks at least as the collar really limits his mobility.

Did I mention I could use prayer as well?

Again, thanks for your prayers and concern. Please don't stop. I hope to resume normal (for me, anyway) posting in the next day or two.