Holiday Meme - Check it out!
From Tara -- A Holiday Meme
1. Name 3 people that you miss that you haven’t seen in a long time.Laura (old friend from college, who I was horrible to, but didn't mean it), Judy and Tyler (niece and nephew -- haven't seen since September)
2. Name 3 things you miss about home during the holidays (be it people, smells, foods, whatever). Putting up the Christmas tree with my parents, Mom's sugar cookies, and Black Friday shopping
3. Name 1 holiday memory that you have from childhood that you will never forget.When we first moved to Germany, we didn't have much of our stuff because it hadn't arrive from the States, so we just had our presents that my mom's family had sent and 1 gift each from my parents. We also didn't have any friends, because we had just moved. So, my siblings and I got dressed in our Christmas best and took my brother outside. We pulled him up and down the streets in a red wagon he got for Christmas. We had a great time!
4. Name at least one favorite book or movie that always reminds you of the holidays.Movie - Miracle on 34th Street -- the original and the newest version!
5. Name your top 3 favorite holiday songs that get you in the mood to celebrate.Hard Candy Christmas - by Dolly Parton -- love it.
Alvin and the Chipmunks Christmas album -- makes me laugh
Silent Night -- still gives me a peaceful moment of reflection
6. If you could go anywhere other than home for the holidays, where would you choose to go and who would you want to bring along? Germany - and I'd take my friend, Allen - such as beautiful country and he's fluent
7. The Grinch or Rudolph?The Grinch - Love the Jim Carrey version - especially the soundtrack.
8. Formal holiday dinner or casual get-together food?Casual - it is more fun
9. Name the best holiday gift you ever received and why?Diamond necklace and earrings from my aunt -- totally unexpected and I've worn them daily for the past 7 years.
10. Describe the funniest holiday moment you’ve ever had.Wow- hard one. Probably freshmen year of college - I woke up a total grouch because I was tired and didn't want to get up early. But, my little sister and brother insisted. I was a real bitch. Doesn't sound funny? Imagine it on videotape after I had a few years to grow up. I'm the one who looked like a brat.
11. Name a holiday memory that truly warmed your heart.Several years ago, I worked with a student group in North Caroline. Really rich kids -- most had jewerly from Tiffany's. Anyway, I talked them into adopting a family for Christmas -- it was crazy. The girls were so excited to shop for a family. They went overboard. When we went to drop the gifts off, we pulled up to this trailer park and the girls unloaded the gifts. This woman, looking like a tired and worn down pregnant Reba McEntire from the 80s, got tears in her eyes and just couldn't stop saying thank you to the girls for the generosity. The girls got pretty teary themselves -- they had never seen such poverty and they finally got the whole "spirit of giving." It brought tears to my eyes, too.
12. Name your top 3 favorite TV specials that frequent the airwaves during the holiday season.Miracle on 34th StreetRudolph the Red Nosed ReindeerAny musical special
13. Sledding, snowball fight, snow angels or building a snowman?Snow angels
14. Eggnog, hot chocolate or hot cider?Mmmmmmm....chocolate.
15. Candy canes or fruit cake?Candy canes!
16. Favorite holiday cookie: frosted sugar cutout, gingerbread, date-nut, or other?Sugar cookies - frosted or not as long as it's my mom's recipe.
Two people tagged to do this post:
Peanut Queen and
Swansea Girl.
10 Favorites
Don't remember who I got this idea from. So, I apologize for not giving them their due credit.
10 FavoritesFavorite Season: Spring and Fall (not too hot, not too cold)
Favorite Sport: Hockey and only live
Favorite Time: 8 PM (when I start to relax each night)
Favorite Color: Blue
Favorite Actor: Patrick Dempsey
Favorite Actress: Reese Witherspoon, Julia Roberts
Favorite Ice Cream: Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
Favorite Food: German
Favorite Drink: Strawberry Margarita
Favorite Place: Guatemala
9 Currents Current Feeling: Distracted -- talking to my sister while doing this
Current Underwear Color: Black
Current Windows Open: three of 'em...this one and two others
Current Drink: Nothing
Current Time: 1:03 p.m. and 10:41 a.m. a week later
Current Mobile(s): Verizon
Current Show on TV: None. At work - no TV
Current Thought: Why do people keep calling? Why do I have to work?
Current Clothes: White blouse with pink/black stripes, black skirt, black suit jacket and black high heels
8 Firsts
First Nickname: Panda (my 3 year old cousin heard my mom had a baby and thought it fit me)
First Kiss: Real one -- 16 year old boy when I was 12. Don't remember his name.
First Crush: Todd Shugart (I think that was his last name), unless you count Mr. Cone, one of my junior high teachers.
First Best Friend: Beth Hartle and Tina Karius, from Virginia
First Vehicle I drove: Dad's crappy Mitsubishu (one of the boxy ones)
First Job: Babysitting
First Pet: Dog - don't remember name
First Shave (of the legs for you ladies out there;): in 6th or 7th grade - remember cutting back of my legs
7 LastsLast Drink: Ice Tea last night or real drink - Amaretto Sour at a party
Last Kiss: August 2005 - when broke up with boyfriend
Last Time I Drove: This morning to work
Last Time Shaved: Last night
Last Web Site Visited: Yahoo 360
Last Movie Watched: Prime - disappointed with ending
Last Pill I Had: Vitamin
6 Have You Evers
Have You Ever Broken the Law: Of course. Jaywalking and speeding, maybe a little trespassing - but no felonies.
Have You Ever Been Drunk: Yes
Have You Ever Kissed Someone You Didn't Know: Yes. At a bar in D.C. - he grabbed my arm, pushed me to a wall, and kissed me. What the hell -- it was fun.
Have You Ever Been in the Middle/Close to Gunfire or Bomb Blast: Yes. Lived on military bases most of my life and did go to a gun range and tried shooting for once.
Have You Ever Skinny Dipped: Yes.
Have You Ever Broken Anyone's Heart: Yes. And I felt horrible. To this day, that guy won't talk to me even when he sees me.
5 ThingsThings You Can Hear Right Now: fan whirling, sister still talking
Things on Your Bed: sheets, comforter, mink blanket, and probably my cat
Things You Ate Today: yogurt, crepes
Things You Can't Live Without: My friends, my family and my cat
Things You Do When You Are Bored: Sleep, read or garden
4 Places You Have Been TodayWork, home, Metro, Au Bon Pain for Lunch
3 Things On Your Desk Right NowBermuda coffee mug, chapstick, Nerds in Hell Coffee cup
2 Choices
Black or White: Black
Hot or Cold: Cold -- easier to get warmer than cooler
1 Thing You Want To Do Before You DieTravel or Find Real Lasting Passionate Love (either one)
This was done on two separate days, so the answers appear a bit disjointed. I've been busy.
Okay so I am freaking out a bit!
Tomorrow, my best friend B is getting back her biopsy results. Last week, she had a biopsy done on her cervix (some type of bump was found during her annual exam). I'm nervous. I am feeling a little shaky. This is one of my best friends -- B is irreplaceable.
B is a great friend, a wonderful woman and just such a part of my life I can't imagine if something were to happen to her. I consider her family. Rose is holding up well -- she's actually accompanying her for her results. I can't get off work - I have to go to an awards ceremony -- it seems so unimportant right now. They are going to call me as soon as the appointment is over.
We cancelled our vacation this February. It just seems not the right time to go. B might need treatment -- we had to have our deposits in late last week if we were going to go. The fourth member of my vacation group is dealing with a father with cancer and is not sure if she is going to be able to go because she is going to have to help with his bills while he is undergoing treatment. Not to mention the fact that he may not make it -- his cancer has spread to the lymph nodes. She won't find out what is going on with his cancer for three more weeks.
I am trying not to freak.
Birth Control and Pharmacists - When Did this Junk Start?
Okay. I have officially reached the boiling point with people interfering with my reproductive rights. I am about ready to scream with frustration as I watch this country and this government inch (and sometimes leap) towards the right.
First, FDA. FDA is currently looking at Plan B for years now and pretty much dragging their feet. It would seem that their scientists have approved the drug for release, but politics are holding it back. They even did a public comment period for the drug, which is not the norm. Check out
this press release about Congress trying to force their decision. The FDA is not a place for politics; it is supposed to be about safety and the laws in our country. Once again, the political right is behind this.
Second, Birth Control Access. I don't' know what has crawled up the butts of pharmacists, but check out
Cover My Pillsand
Robert's Blog for more information. Basically, all these pharmacists are suddenly screaming that they don't have to fill any prescriptions which violates their religious doctrine. Not married -- no pills. Why should anyone have to explain a legitimate prescription from their doctor to some pharmacists at Target?
What can you do?
Do what I did.
1. I posted a comment on the FDA comment log.
2. I wrote not one, but two strongly worded letters to Target. The first I got the standard response; the second they didn't even bother to respond to.
3. Quit shopping at places that don't support birth control access. I used to always shop at Target -- now I go out of my way to avoid them.
4. Ask your pharmacist. I asked my pharmacists at Eckerdt Drug and she told me they dispense any legitimate prescription that is written by my doctor. If she had questions, she would talk to the doctor, but she wouldn't refuse either Plan B or birth control unless it would lead to a medical problem. If yours won't, switch pharmacists.
5. Get involved -- write your congressperson. Call your legislators! Send money to NARAL or Planned Parenthood.
Rosa Parks passed away last week. I would never have anything but good things to say about this smart and courageous lady. She stood up for herself and all other African Americans by refusing to give up her seat. This is the same type fight. Refuse to give up your seat -- refuse to give up access to birth control. Refuse to let the right wing nuts take over this country. You are a ordinary person, like Rosa and like her you can make a difference.
I hope you do something.
