Happy Tuenesday!

Good Tuenesday to everyone! I’m choosing to ignore that yesterday happened so I’m combining days to catch up. If you follow baseball, you know that yesterday was not at all the day I planned for. I told my friend, Ben, last night on Twitter that I was inspired by the baseball gods to make this script:

He essentially called me a flawed prophet. The he asked me what drugs the script was for. You know since I had a vision and all. Lesson: Don’t get into a baseball theology argument with someone in the medical field.

So, with Tuesday having not existed in my mind, I’m looking forward to the Reds and Tigers completing their sweeps of the bay area this Tuenesday!

Okay. Optimism restored. Let’s get on to the Wednesday Hodge Podge, hosted by Joyce at From This Side of the Pond.

1. In what ways do you indulge yourself?

Coffee; I only drink 2 or 3 cups a day, sometimes even just one, but it has to be good coffee. I don’t believe in drinking bad coffee and it’s the one thing I’ll spend a little more for no matter what. I’ll go without chocolate for a few days before I’ll drink coffee I don’t like and I won’t go without coffee for a few days! I’ll be patient for anything else as long as I have a good cup of coffee while I wait.


2. Have you ever taken a cooking class? Any interest? What type of class would you most like to try?

Never taken a cooking class; my cooking education came from being “Noni‘s little helper” for many years and then watching my Mom cook. And I didn’t actually start cooking until I was 26 years old, although I’ve baked since I was 7. But the lessons I learned from Noni and Mom made me a pretty darned good cook.


3. What does it mean to be a good citizen?

Vote, help where you can, stay out of your neighbor’s business unless that neighbor invites you in.


4. 'Tis the season of the political advert...do these ads influence your vote?

No and it terrifies me that there are people who are influenced by them and those people vote. Maybe the biggest problem with our country is that people believe what they see on TV.


5. What's something you see today that makes you wish you were a kid again?

Sneakers with blinking lights. I would have wanted them desperately when I was a kid. Heck, if they came in adult sizes, I would have bought them for me when Rina and Tori had them.


6. What's your least favorite cliché?

The phrase “it is what it is.” Oh, I want to just shake anyone who says it! “It is what it is” unless you change it and if you’re too lazy to do anything to change it don’t even talk about it! Arrrrghhh!


7. What percentage of your Christmas shopping has been completed? How does that make you feel?

That percentage, on this OCTOBER 10, is zero. I shop early, but to have none done on OCTOBER 10 is something I am completely fine with.


8. Insert your own random thought here.

I realized I asked my question on the Monday Quiz About me without answering it! For the Hodge Podgers who didn’t visit on Monday, that question was:

Do you prefer watching the sunrise or sunset?

I prefer to watch the sun rise on a brand new day. I’m an early bird now, but even in high school and college; the all-nighter days, I loved hearing the birds sing and seeing all the gorgeous colors of dawn. The sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean is among my favorite views!

I‘m Still Here!

I’m not quite as busy as a farmer in the fall, but I get into a bunch of stuff. I try to do stuff on the computer while the baseball game is on. Seriously, during the regular season I write a blog during the commercials or do a scrapbook page during the game moving things on the screen between pitches; it’s no different than a conversation at a live game. Maybe that’s part of my joy in the sport, that I can enjoy the game and still have the social aspect of being with like-minded people. We all stop talking and watch at the same time, so it’s about impossible to be rude.  During the playoffs when my teams are there; notsomuch.

I had a lovely day with Sheri Friday, and it was fantastic. We went to Zoup for lunch, a fabulous restaurant that offers 12 soups daily. Sheri had Lobster Bisque and a half sandwich and I had Pumpkin Pie Bisque with sweet potato tortilla chips. I love pumpkin season! I always try a pumpkin something new every fall if I can find something new. Last year it was pumpkin beer and pumpkin fudge. The year before David brought me a jar of pumpkin butter. David says I’m going to turn into a pumpkin, but he’s an enabler; he brought home the pumpkin beer too! Sheri is my other great enabler. She and I always have one day out where I go pumpkin nuts! When we stopped to get her free birthday scoop at Baskin Robbins, I had a scoop of pumpkin pie ice cream and we finished the day at Starbucks where I had…Pumpkin Spice Latte! Sheri said, “I would say you’ll turn into a pumpkin, but David already6 said that, so I’ll say you’re gonna poop pu8mpkin seeds!” I’ll have my loving family members know my skin has not begun to turn orange and my digestion is fine!

Saturday and Sunday were double the clothing days for me. I wore my Tigers shirt, earrings and necklace during the earlier Tigers game, which they won, and then switched earrings and necklaces to the Reds and changed to my brand new Joey Votto jersey for the Reds game, They won too, so those were the shirts I wore yesterday too, repeated the shirts and repeated the wins! I am one win apiece away from the next step towards my dream World Series! I need to get a Tiger’s turtleneck to wear with my Joey Votto jersey or I need an Austin Jackson jersey! Finances say there’s more of a chance that I’ll get the Tigers turtleneck. My Joey Votto jersey was birthday present 45 & 46 from David. But the jersey got here Friday; just in time for the playoffs! Maybe a sign?

Sheri and I stopped at Mac Queen’s orchard in Toledo Friday afternoon too. I brought home a bunch of apples for apple chips! The first batch is in the dehydrator now. I’ll probably be switching it out or the second set of trays before bed tonight. I have to do several 5-tray batches in order to have a couple decent size bags to send to the girls and still gave a few for here. The apple chips every fall started when they were little because Mom and I found a bag at the store and loved them, but Mom was sure she could make them healthier. Nothing much healthier than a thin-sliced dehydrated crunchy apple! I inherited the dehydrator and the responsibility when Mom passed. We missed one year; the dehydrator took a tumble off the counter when I was packing kitchen things for my move to Toledo. I didn’t get to replace it until after 2007 apple season! I make it up to them by shipping them to them now that their adults!

So now, better late than not at all on a Monday, I’m joining the Monday Quiz about me brought to us by Heather at Acting Balanced and Wayne at Touristic.

1. What is the nicest thing someone has ever done for you on your birthday?

John and Sheri planned my 40th birthday celebration; including giving me two tickets to see the Braves and Reds in Cincinnati the following weekend. Of course I took David with my other ticket. When we got to our seats, 2 or 3 at a time, friends from Michigan filled in the seats around us, including Kelly and her daughter and son-in-law up from Missouri! Kel couldn’t make it for the party the week before and I was happy beyond words that so many of my family made the road trip to surprise me at the end of my birthday festival.


2. What is the funniest thing that ever happen to you while you were on a 'date'?

I don’t recall something ever happening to me on a date that was funny. I’ve laughed on dates and there have been things that were funny, but nothing notable that I recall as “something funny happening to me.”


3. What is your favorite backhanded compliment?

Maybe at this time of year, “But I know you’re smarter than you vote.”


4. Have you ever had someone guest blog for you? If so, how was the experience?

David did a Mug Shot a few years ago and I have guest blogger sponsors from time to time. I’ve never been stood up at PayPal by a sponsor and David is a professional writer, so his blog gave The Chronicles a touch of polish it doesn’t usually have. Guest bloggers are okay.


And don't forget to add a 5th Question on your own blog so we can answer as we hop around!

Do you prefer watching the sunrise or sunset?

Wednesday Hodge Podge

1. It's a brand new month...share one thing you're looking forward to in October.

While David is on vacation, Kelly will visit for a week! Girl time! Time for chocolate and 5 dollah coffee!


2. Is chivalry dead? Explain.

According to the World English Dictionary, Chivalry is having courage, honor, justice and a readiness to help the weak. The second part of the definition is courteous behavior, especially towards women.

That was in the Middles Ages and it was a word used about men, especially knights. In today’s world I see plenty of chivalry from men and women. I also see plenty of courteous behavior from men and women, however when sexism rears it’s incredibly ugly head, that kills chivalry.

Chivalry is common courtesy. It’s treating everyone, even strangers, like they exist and matter. If someone is walking into a building right behind you, hold the door so it doesn’t slam them in the face after you enter. If a woman is several feet behind with her arms empty and a man waits to hold the door for her that’s not courteous, it’s creepy. There are many common sense examples of right and wrong, but somehow, they just aren’t practiced.

The most chivalrous act I've been involved in lately was a girl, about 10 years old, held the door open for me and my wheelchair going into the women's room.  She asked if she could help in any way and closed the stall door for me.  After she'd already washed her hands, she waited for me to come out and and wash my hands.  Then she held the door so I wouldn't bang my knuckles on the door-frame.  That's real modern chivalry and a man couldn't do that for me in a public place.  It's not dead; it's growing.


3. On October 2, 1950 the Peanuts comic strip made its debut. Which character is your favorite? Which character is most like you? (Charlie Brown, Lucy, Linus, Shroeder, Snoopy, Woodstock, or Pig Pen) If you need a description click here .

I think I was most like Peppermint Patty when I was a kid and my insatiable ego liked her best because she was like me; an outspoken tomboy who is a little bit of a know-it-all.

When I asked David this question last night, he cited my auburn hair when he said he was Charlie Brown but he got the Little Red-Haired Girl. Awww! Who needs chivalry when I still have romance?


4. What's something you're competitive about?

I was really thinking about this one. I’m not competitive at all. I always try my best and if I win it feels good, but I don’t let myself wallow if I don’t. Even in job interviews or challenging another woman for a man’s interest when I was younger, I’ve always thought if I put in everything I’m worth and someone else is deemed to be a better fit, I’ve lost nothing. I tried. I presented my best. Not putting in an effort is the only real way to lose.


5. October is National Popcorn Popping Month...are you a fan? How do you like your popcorn?

Popcorn and pretzels are my favorite starchy snacks. I will pop a quarter cup of kernels in my air popper and often just enjoy it hot with nothing on it. (It’s best to buy big yellow kernels to eat it that way.)  Sometimes I spray it with butter-flavored cooking spray and add some salt, but usually it’s plain. I like popcorn at the ball park too.


6. When did you first realize the world is small?

As a first generation American on Dad’s side, I always had relatives on the other side of the world who visited often. I turned 13 in Italy. I guess I never really thought the world was so huge.


7. In terms of architecture, what's the most beautiful building you've seen up close and in person?

During that summer I turned 13, I saw the Vatican and the ruins of Rome. But I wasn’t really aware of art and architecture until over a year later in my first Humanities class in high school. (When I was heartbroken at all the things I‘d seen and not appreciated) I love the architecture of old churches and remember that I was really taken by Saint Anne de Beaupre in Quebec when I was there with my high school French Club in1983.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I’m looking forward to a lunch date with Sheri Friday! I just don’t see my friends enough lately and it’s killing me inside. :( We’re going to have lunch and hopefully have time to make a stop at the orchard so I can get a coupleafew bags of apples for making apple chips for those college-care-packages. I love my friends! A true friend will drive an hour to spend a day with you even if it means she’s picking you up because you can’t currently drive! She is SO getting a Starbucks stop for that!

My Dream World Series

My dream World Series is a step closer to happening today. Ahhhh! A heart devoted to my sport is purring over my top AL and top NL teams both holding the title of Central Division Champion in their respective leagues with the Tigers victory last night.

I posted this on Facebook this morning with my proud proclamation that my dream World Series is a step close to happening.

My baseball history brief:

My dream World Series potential lives with the Central Divisions Champions; I was 2 years old when the Tigers won the ‘68 Series. It was a day game, so there was no one home with my baseball fan Mom but the sleeping baby and the toddler. She picked up the toddler and danced in celebration. I don't remember it, but I'm told I loved baseball from that point on. Baseball = happy.

By 7, I was an avid baseball nut and the baseball cards that got a special place in my jewelry box were the Tigers and Reds. My childhood heroes were Al Kaline and Pete Rose.

I actually got away from following baseball or pretty much following any sports when I was in school. My passion started to rekindle in the late 80s with the Braves; a superstation helped. Since I was hoping to move to Atlanta anyway, I had adopted the Braves as my team, but the Playoffs in ’95 taught me that I can’t just walk away from my roots when I just couldn’t cheer against the Reds.

So, now I am eagerly awaiting my dream World Series; Detroit and Cincinnati, 7 games. The dream MVP is either Joey Votto or Austin Jackson.

Joey Votto was my last “Adopted Rookie.” When he was called up in September 2007, I had a feeling he’d be around for a while. His official rookie season was 2008 and I adopted him in late April. All adopting is for me is telling everyone about this great rookie that they HAVE to see and dutifully voting for him in the All Star game. 5 seasons and an MVP award later it was a good call!


Curtis Granderson, now a powerhouse for the New York Yankees, was my answer when the Tigers ads asked, “Who’s your Tiger?” The trade that sent him to the Yankees crushed me. Now, when I hear good things about Granderson, I say “That’s my Yankee!” I’m not a Yankees fan, but I will always be a Granderson fan. But part of the trade that took my Tiger away brought us Austin Jackson out of the Yankees farm system and into ours. He was a Tigers rookie the spring after the trade. As it turns out they replaced my old answer for my new one. Who’s my Tiger? Austin Jackson! Have you seen him field??

So my plan is my favorite American League team will face my favorite National League team in the Series and I’ll see both of my favorite current players into very early November. I’ll need a Reds coat to go with my Tigers blanket and some tickets! Hope is strong. Life is good!

I Owe You An Answer

I owe you an answer about that Monday lie a couple of weeks back. Since I didn’t do the quiz while I was on vacation I left the answer to my final question hanging! If you recall, question 4 was:

4. Tell us two truths and a lie about yourself...


My answers were:

1. I’ve been the Prima Donna Ballerina

2. There was never anyone dressed even close to like me in school.

3. Although roller-skating was hugely popular when I was in middle and high school, I’ve never roller-skated.

And my question for everyone was:

5. So, which one of my answers to #4 was the lie?


I got a nice assortment of answers, but the lie is #2!

I was the center-stage Prima Donna when I was 9 years old in advanced youth ballet. My class was a small class, just three of us and I was the advanced dancer with two older beginning young adult students. I had the solo section and the longer skirt. As we got near to the spring recital, my hockey team was also in the state playoffs. It was a good year for me. But my hockey coach never gasped when I walked into the locker room in my leotard after dance class the way my dance instructor did when I walked into ballet class with my duffel bag and stick.

After a bad ankle injury practicing a leap for a ballet number I was planning to do for the middle school talent show, my doctor suggested that roller skating wouldn’t be the best idea for me. I wasn’t really all that interested; it was just something a lot of my friends did. I liked dancing better anyway.

As for the lie; while I most decidedly never saw anyone dressed like me in middle school through college, first through fourth grade I was in a Catholic school; ALL the girls dressed exactly like me!



There just wasn’t anything to really defrag from my blog on Friday last week, but I have a few from the weekend!

First off, Darlene Haughin is back designing at The Studio! She has been out of designing for a while. Darlene has been battling breast cancer. It was caught early and treatment started quickly. She is okay now and rather than retell details, I’ll invite you to her blog to read her journey in her words: A Story of Survival and Faithfulness.  I am so glad she is doing well and happy she has returned to the Digi-Design world. When she sent her new kit to the creative team, I was ready to create! I’ll be back with a preview of My Happy Place and the first layout I did with it.


Also for more fragment stuff, check out the blog I did last night, I Want To Get Smashed  It's not a problem; I'm not that stressed, and it's not an ad.  It's just something I'm very geeky with anticipation about!


Now, on to this week's quiz from Heather at Acting Balanced!

1. What is your favorite Autumn color?

The red and orange combination of maple trees


2. If you could go back and change something about your high school days what would it be?

If I’m making a change it means I am doing it with the knowledge I have now, right? I’d go back and let myself know I’m not stupid. I could have applied myself better, maybe even graduated with cords and gotten a scholarship to finish my degree in 4 years instead of 13, except that I had an awful inferiority complex. I was an honor roll student and justified that the grading curve was why I did well because I thought I was pretty dumb.

Yes, the Mensa thing was a shock when Mom talked me into testing for it.  I've accepted that I probably really did deserve the high school grades. 


3. Name something that you tried because you thought you'd like it, but in reality didn't meet your expectations

Yogurt with Splenda. There’s something in the processing that makes it taste nasty!


4. Do you have a favorite "Monday" song?

Probably Manic Monday by the Bangles.


And don't forget to add a 5th Question on your own blog so we can answer as we hop around!

Who makes the best donuts? Which flavor is the best?

I have a social history with Dunkin Donuts and their coffee is the best, I drink a little mental ambiance with it, but the best donuts are Tim Horton’s! My favorite is Walnut Crunch.