Friday Fill-Ins

Hosted by Janet
Play along now!!




And...here we go!


1. Moving ___is exciting and tiring__.

2. _Best things in life are ____ free like my husband's and children's love!!.

3. My best quality is _my way of making friends easily ____.

4. __It's all in the___ details.

5. In nearly 10 years, Mitch and Marc will be grown men!!!! Oh No!!

6. _A three day weekend____ is what I need right now, oh yeah, I'm getting one!! Hurrary!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to _going to town and getting groceries maybe____, tomorrow my plans include __washing windows and reading___ and Sunday, I want to __read, clean up my scrap room and be outside___!

Friday Fill In

And...here we go!

1. Angel or not, I will _always love my sons____.

2. ___Naughty or nice__ any way you want me. (my answer is Bud's fault. I just got done reading his blog and I can't get some of those pictures out of my head...the twins, his manly-package...stuff like that!! he's the naughty one!!)

3. As my mother used to say, you're full of __piss and vinegar___.

4. ___My body creaks like a 90-year old lady__ after I'm done working out or doing something strenuous.

5. Even in the most crowded of rooms __I can always hear my husband ___.

6. __When I'm going somewhere and realize I forgot to bring a book is a day fraught with peril.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to _celebrating because I'm on Spring Break____, tomorrow my plans include ___visiting the library and maybe hanging out at Barnes and Noble__ and Sunday, I want to ___relax and enjoy the day and then to laugh because I have a week of vacation to look forward to!

Friday Fill In

And...here we go!

1. Why do we have to__sleep when I would love to keep reading___?

2. __Blogging and reading blogs___ are now very bad and time- consuming habits.

3. I have _so many books to read from the library____.

4. I had never heard the phrase "__I can't think of one___" and it __is making me feel stupid, so skip #4!!___.

5. __Just keeping it real___ the way I always do.

6. How was I to know __that having a computer would open up a whole new world to me with my reading?___.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to __reading___, tomorrow my plans include __an all-day wrestling match___ and Sunday, I want to _do laundry, try to avoid spending hours on the internet and read____!

Friday Fill-In #113

And...here we go!

1. I'm __quirky___, I'm _outspoken____, I _love my family and friends____.

2. Why do I have __snow___ and not _75 degree temperatures?____.

3. How does this __google notebook thingie___ work, anyway?

4. Every morning, I put __undies___ on my __tushie (I'm feeling stupid)___.

5. I consider myself lucky because _I work in a library and I love my job!!! surrounded by some of my favorite things----books (not the kids!! LOL)____.

6. One day we’ll see _a Broadway production____.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to __pizza___, tomorrow my plans include __grocery shopping- what fun!___ and Sunday, I want to __say that I'm all caught up with everything...wishful thinking!!!___!

Friday Fill-In

Questions courtesy of YellowRose this week; thanks, friend! And...here we go!

1. Please don't tell __me that the temperature is going to be in single digits again today!___.

2. Can you __please not bother me___ in the morning?

3. The color __blue___ makes me want to _be on a beach in Jamaica, drinking something alcoholic, and reading a good book____!

4. I have a craving for _salty stuff right now____.

5. If my life had a pause button, I'd pause it __all those moments when my boys were small so that I could savor that time. I need it to get through their teen years now___.

6. Eyes are the __windows to the soul, I truly do believe that___.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to _finishing Interpreter of Maladies____, tomorrow my plans include _the oh so obvious-grocery shopping but with a stop at Barnes and Noble to browse____ and Sunday, I want to __take a catnap in the afternoon and NOT feel guilty about it___!


Happy Friday Everyone!!!

Friday Fill-In #109

#109...and away we go!!

1. I'd really like __Marcus to feel better___ right now.

2. ___Ow!!!__ is the word you'd most often hear me say if I stubbed my toe.

3. Possession is _9/10th of the law, if I have it in my grubby little hands it belongs to me!!!____.

4. __I like Johnny Depp better than his character_ Captain Jack Sparrow.

5. Marshmallows and fire go together like _Margaritas and chips w/salsa____.

6. _The winter just seems to be going __ on and on and there doesn't look like there is an end in sight!.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to __taking a hot bath___, tomorrow my plans include __what else--grocery shopping___ and Sunday, I want to _relax and maybe sleep in until 7 a.m.__!

Friday Fill-In #108

#108 hosted by Janet

1. Oh, I am so __sick of winter___!

2. __Life___ changes, big and little.

3. During __the winter___, I _tend to feel very depressed and sad!____.

4. _What? The government has decided to give us the average American a big check to help stimulate the economy and are taking back the 700 billion they gave to the banks____; are you kidding me???

5. Right now I'd like to be _strolling down the streets of some quaint village in Italy___.

6. _My Ipod____ is my favorite gadget.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to _pizza (no cooking for me)__, tomorrow my plans include _grocery shopping-what fun____ and Sunday, I want to stay in my pajama's and finish Pride and Prejudice____!

Friday Fill-in, Saturday 9 and another post about why I hate winter!

#107 Here we go!


1. Enough with the __below zero temps, snow, ice,___.

2. __Blogging or reading?___ causes me to be conflicted.

3. I've been craving __Mint Dark Chocolate 3 Musketeers___.

4. __My son always___ makes me laugh.

5. I wish I could go to ___a warm place__ next week.

6. __My parents___ has been on my mind lately.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to _taking a nap (I did)____, tomorrow my plans include _grocery shopping, laundry, and correcting papers_ and Sunday, I want to _finish Edgar Sawtelle_!









Saturday 9: The First Apartment brought to us by Crazy Sam


1. Where had you moved from?

Home!!

2. Describe your first apartment.

It was the basement apartment in a big complex just east of Michigan State's campus.

3. How old were you when you had your apartment?

19!!

4. Did you have roommates? If yes, tell us more.

Yes, I shared the apartment with a fellow classmate from college. Her name was Claudia. We always had a great time together and we both liked having a neat place so we got along really well. I hate to admit it but I've lost touch with her over the years. I wonder what she's doing?

5. What was your place of employment then?

I worked at a shoe store called The Wild Pair. I worked my way up from a sales kid, to assistant manager and then finally a manager. I thought it was a fun job, except for the shoe fetish freaks who would stroke the 4 inch heels while looking at me....YUCK!! We had all the dancers from Dejavu come in every week to get their heels and thigh-high boots!! and yes even the 3 ugly ones came in....and boy were they ugly!!!

6. How were you finances at the time?

I thought I was doing all right because I had $ in the bank, $ in my pocket, $ for the bar, and gas in my car!!

7. Tell us about a lover who spent a night there.

He was a Marine that I met through a friend.

8. Tell us about a band you listen to then. (You can cheat. Look it up.)

This one is easy, Duran Duran, MC Hammer---can't touch this! Tone Loc, oh my god, I'm really dating myself!!! I will stop right now!!

9. How long did you live there and why did you move from there?

about a year. She wanted to move back to the Detroit area and I didn't want to have to find a new roomie so I moved to Jackson and stayed in the basement of my grandparent's house.



So, this morning I get up around 6:45, stumble out to the kitchen to make my coffee. No problem. Then I go to use the bathroom and flush the toilet and the water quits running!! No shit!! please, I say, please don't let the water be frozen out in the pump house!! I waited for a minute, turned the faucet on again...nothing. So I get my hubby's coat and snow boots on, grab my gloves, hair dryer, and flashlight. With my trusty dog by my side we made ort way out to the pump house. I noticed that the light we have on in there wasn't real close to this particular pipe that likes to freeze so I plugged in my hair dryer and let it run for about 5 minutes. I left the pump house and made my way into the house. As I was walking in the deep snow somehow my feet got ahead of me and I tumbled into the snow, loosing my boot and sock as I feel face first . My naked foot sunk into the snow!! I started to laugh and grabbed my sock and boot and put it back on immediately because the temp was 7 with a wind chill about -30!!! Made my way back into the house and turned on the faucet....WATER!!! I sang gloriously....Yeah!! then I made my way back out to the pump house to turn off the dryer and bring it back inside. As I was trying to close the door I kicked it with my boot and smashed the framing on it!! Good job Staci!! Then I stumbled my way back into the house. Boy did my coffee taste good after spending that time out in the cold wilderness!! After that I made a crock pot of chili, took a shower, and got ready to go into town to get groceries. I left the house around 10:30 and not one lazy butt was out of bed at this time! So I run into town to get my groceries and as I am coming out of Meijer what greets me? Yes, you guessed it.....snow, pelts of freezing rain, and winds about 100 mph!! Can I get a break....somewhere?

This is why winter sucks!!

Friday Fill-In

#106 brought to you courtesy of Janet via her blog Friday Fill-In.
Join in the fun!!!


1. It's January; _it's_cold, gray, and I hate being cold!!_.

2. __Cascarelli's Pizza (garbage can style) and a cold beer from Homer, Michigan___ is what I crave most right now.

3. Cork and wine go together like _me and margaritas!!____.

4. __Reading a good book___ is so nourishing.

5. Let us dare to _dream____.

6. __At the end of a crazy day all I want is to be at ___ my home.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to _reading____, tomorrow my plans include __grocery shopping___ and Sunday, I want to __scrapbook___!

Friday Fill-In #105

1. The world is _a wonderful place to explore____.

2. __No more vodka shots___ was the last thing I said.

3. I wonder _what my dog is thinking when he's looking at me so intensely____.

4. _There is growth be it spiritual, emotional, physical____ at the end of all things.

5. There's something to be said for __thinking first and then speaking___.

6. ___With my loved ones__ is where I want to be.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to _catching up on some blogs and then reading____, tomorrow my plans include __organizing my scrap stuff___ and Sunday, I want to _get ready mentally for going back to school____!

Friday Fill-In and a book review

#104-Friday Fill-In

Merry Christmas to all who celebrate and happy holidays to all! Questions this week are courtesy of Heather from It's All About The Hat! Thanks, Heather :-)

1. I must _step foot in Italy____ before I die.

2. You can't stop __time___.

3. I wish I never had to buy __maxipads!!!!!!!!___ again.

4. _A friend___ has helped me change my life.

5. I know the song __Rudolph, the Red Nosed Reindeer___ by heart.

6. If I weren't so afraid, I would ___jump out of a plane someday__.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to __eating a slice of pumpkin pie___, tomorrow my plans include _getting some gifts for our niece and nephew in Florida____ and Sunday, I want to _organize my craft room____!



The Watcher by Jeanne Stein Book 3 Anna Strong Series

rating:
bookshelves:	read, series (edit)
status:	Read in December, 2008
review:	This one had me struggling!! I was so mad that I decided to put off the next book in the series....for now. I really liked Anna's character until this book. She just seems like one big brat who thinks she knows everything. And frankly, it turned me off! The premise of the story was poorly constructed and it just did not keep my attention. So, I have to give it the lower rating and move on to something better!!

I went to the library today and picked up a couple of new books to add to my HUGE pile!! I did return quite a few books that I decided that I just didn't want to make time to read. After going through other blogs and signing up for some reading challenges for 2009, I decided that I want to be a little more discerning when it comes to books. There are some classics that I really want to read, over a hundred of my own books that are just gathering dust, and I feel that if I don't get serious I might be missing out on some really profound reading!! That is another thing that I want to work on this coming year. Becoming a better reader. I need to be more intuitive and look for a deeper meaning. I tend to just read and not really ponder a whole lot. I read other people's reviews and question myself..."Why didn't I get that?" So that is something that I truly want to work on. One of the big books that I'm tackling this year is Anna Karenina. Trust me I've got the Cliff Notes bookmarked. Plus I kept everything from Oprah's website from when she read the book a few years ago. Wish me luck!! I'm also going to read for the first time, The Lord of The Rings Trilogy!! And just for some additional fun....Emma, Pride and Prejudice, Persuasion, Mansfield Park and Northanger Abby. I must read them in 2009!!!!! Well, I've rambled on long enough so I will sign off for now and go catch up on some blogs!!

Happy Friday!!!

Friday Fill-In and a winter storm!!!!

Fill in the lyrics...with the correct ones or ones of your own :-) Have fun with this, don't worry if you don't know 'em...just make up something silly or do a silly one and a serious one! The most important part is to have fun with it.



1. Said the night wind to the little lamb, _do you hear what I hear?____.

2. The first Noel, the angel did say, __Staci, I'm ashamed that you don't know the next word!!!___.

3. __Riding in a sleigh___, Over the hills and everywhere.

4. It came upon the midnight clear, _a big snowstorm that dumped 8 inches here in the thumb!!____.

5. __Drink good beer___, Let your heart be light.

6. And the thing that will make them ring is the carol that you sing _even if it is way off key!!____.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to _reading a little____, tomorrow my plans include _going to Detroit metro____ and Sunday, I want to __relax for the first time in 6 months!___!

That was pretty fun, as you can see I really don't know very many Christmas carols. Now if the music was playing I might be able to come up with some of the right words!! So this morning my phone rang at 5:15 a.m. saying those 4 glorious words that we come to love here in the thumb....

NO SCHOOL SNOW DAY!!!!!!!!!

I ran to the door to look out the window and saw nothing! Was this a prank? you know how sneaky superintendent's can be sometimes and this is a negotiation year....so I went back to bed to settle in for a few more winks of sleep. Before I knew it the stupid phone rang AGAIN!! This time it was 6:00!! Same message!!! Our school has an automated message system. I've figured out that the first call was to all staff, the second call was to all parents!! Yikes, I must have that changed when I get back to school because 2 phones calls will certainly interfere with my ability to sleep-in. Needless to say I was up at 6 a.m. and stayed up. I couldn't believe how much snow had fallen in the 45 minutes since I had first looked out!! This storm just blew in and dumped tons of snow across the lower part of Michigan. And of course my dear hubby decided that he wanted to get his oil changed!! Yes, he is a little crazy! So we ventured out into the wild white day and it was scary!! The plows had not been anywhere and it was 12:30!! He didn't care, he's a man and he's not afraid of no snow!! So 4-wheel drive locked in, gas pedal fully pushed down, and we plowed through that flimsy white stuff!!! 4 hours later we arrived back at home all safe and sound. Not sure if we'll be able to get out in the morning because of the wind blowing andthe snow drifting. This has me freaking out just a little....a LOT!! I am a total worrier so I'm suffering extreme anxiety right now. I'm worried that we won't be able to make it from our house to the black top road. I'm worried that the truck will get stuck and we won't make it to Detroit Metro on time. I'm worried that we won't get there in time for the flight and we'll have to eat a $261 plane ticket!! I'm just plain worried. My husband...he's snoring right now...that's how worried he is!! So wish us luck tomorrow!!

Friday Fill-In and another book review

1. Friends __have been my lifeline___.

2. ____Thankful for my good_ health; it's _very important to take care of myself____.

3. I'm ready for _Christmas vacation to start____.

4. ____Warm Vanilla Sugar_ is one of my favorite perfumes or aftershaves or smells.

5. The oldest ornament I have is __15 years old, one that Mitchell did in daycare___.

6. Take _a big bucket of margarita mix and nachos___, mix it all together and you have _a freaking great night____.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to _spending time with Matt____, tomorrow my plans include __going to the library, bank, and getting some Christmas presents purchased___ and Sunday, I want to _put up the tree____!

Book Review
Wow, I can't believe that I've read 103 books this year!! I hope to read over 150 books next year. If I can keep getting great books like the one I just finished then it shouldn't be too hard.



Pomegranate Soup by Marsha Mehran
I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars! *****


I was instantly intrigued by this book when I found that each chapter began with a recipe. As I pored over the recipes I realized that I have been missing out on so much wonderful food out there in the world. I instantly wanted to try every single dish and experience the exotic spices. The story line is driven around 3 sisters who have escaped Iran during the revolution and fled to England. Once there they had to leave because their past caught up to them. (don't want to tell you more because it may spoil it) They finally end up in Ireland. A place that I dream about visiting one day. The author made the small town come alive with her very credible characters. I have not read the book Chocolat yet, but I was instantly reminded of this movie as I read this book. You have your town gossips, your town bully, your fun-loving Irish priest, and of course a love story. People are use to the usual Irish fare: stew, ale and lack-luster taste. Every one goes about their life with no fun, and absolutely nothing to look forward to, that is until the sisters arrive. The smells coming from the cafe start to entice people and once inside they can not resist the wonderful dishes and just sitting down for a cup of hot tea. This is the kind of place that I want to find. A place that I never knew existed until I turn a corner and from there the smell of the food draws me in. I absolutely loved this story. I've been told that the follow-up is a little disappointing but I am willing to take my chances.


Up next in my big pile of TBR is Wild Boy: My Life in Duran Duran by Andy Taylor

Can't wait to read all the dirt. I was a die-hard Duranie in my teen years and I am more than willing to admit that I still listen to their CD's and if John Taylor walked into the room right now I would throw myself at him!! but in a nice and controlled way.....uh, not really!!

Snowy Saturday and my LATE Friday Fill-in

So today I talked Matt and Marc into coming to town with me to get groceries!! First though we had to have lunch because everyone knows that going to the grocery store leads to JUNK in the cart and fat on the hips!! We're really trying to cut down on the crap that we just don't need. I've also found that if I make a menu and a list my grocery bill is pretty good. This week I spent 89.00 on groceries and 30.00 on non-essentials: shampoo, softner, paper towels, toothpaste...all of that good stuff. I've decided to keep a weekly log of how much $$$ I spend on groceries. With the economy like it is I want to do my best at spending money wisely. After we loaded up the truck with our goodies we decided to spend about an hour at Barnes and Nobles just reading magazines and browsing. It wasn't like any of the groceries were going to spoil seeing how the temperature is about 19 degrees!!! I hate winter! Everyone was ready to get home after 4 hours in town. It is too crazy for us at times and the roads were getting bad. Now Matt's watching television and Marc is at the neighbor's. I'm updating my blog and then I'm taking a long, hot, warm-vanilla sugar bubble bath!!

Here's my late late late Friday Fill-In




1. Snow _sucks____.

2. I'm looking forward to _summer____.

3. _Starbucks is the best _coffee_ ever!

4. One of my favorite old tv shows is _Little House on the Prairi____.

5. I'm done with __grocery shopping___.

6. The most enjoyable thing around the holidays is _seeing others happy____.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to _a hot bath____, tomorrow my plans include _making lasagna____ and Sunday, I want to __relax___!

Lazy Friday

Well, we're all just sitting around still in a turkey coma and enjoying our lazy Friday. I'm one of those people who do NOT see any reason to get up at the crack of dawn to fight with people over "stuff" just because it is marked down. Now, I might do that if my kids were still little and a good deal was to be had, but at their ages their wish lists are much easier to handle than in the past! So instead of shopping, I've been drinking coffee, eating pumpkin pie (for breakfast! yummy), watched "Family Stone" this morning and cried, drank some more coffee, ate some onion wraps, read my book and am now watching "Outbreak" and catching up on blogs. I hope everyone out there had a great Thanksgiving and I hope my crazy sister-in-law Heather got some great deals at 5 a.m. this morning!!

Now it's time for Friday Fill-Ins



1. My stomach __is full__.
2. __Pumpkin Pie is what I ate the most of on Thursday.
3. The yard is covered with snow!_.
4. _____Home is where I'd rather be at any given time.
5. The smell of ___cigars reminds me of _my Grandpa Bill__.
6. __Alcohol_ is what I need right now!
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to _reading____, tomorrow my plans include _reading____ and Sunday, I want to _read____!(I'm pretty ambitious!!LOL)