jubyred

The Letter H

I am all about plagiarizing.  Shit, I was an English major.  Need I say more?  But I learned early on that if I cite it, it's totally legit.  So, thanks to Elise and Mike for this inspiration. My brain is not really working these days (more on that later) so I appreciate being spoon-fed some posts.

Without further ado- "H" Love...

Heat-mostly of the direct variety.  The only thing I like about being cold is getting warm.   As I type this, I have a small space heater (total fire hazard) blowing on my feet under my desk. I actually rest my feet ON the heater because I can't get enough heat.  I used to live in an old bungalow in Atlanta with the heater vent on the floor and I would be known to sit directly ON it while getting dressed or talking on the phone.  My legs and butt would be bright red but as soon as I stepped away, I was convinced I was cold, so back I'd go.  I lived there all winter.  Nowadays, I like to stand in front of the fire until the back of my shirt practically ignites.  When I say I love heat, I'm not kidding.  Good thing since I'm probably going to hell.

Haiku- I admit it.  I'm one of those people.  I love the idea of having to sum it all up in three lines, 5-7-5.  My dear friend Maria and I used to be awesome pen pals and we went through a phase where we wrote books of haiku to one another about the most ridiculous subjects.  Mostly about a kind of strange girl in our Chemistry class who used to bring me lunch sometimes and stalk me in her car.  How can you not love a good ole stalker haiku?

Hand Lotion-Aveda hand cream to be exact.  It's in my purse.  It's in my car.  It's in my kitchen.  I love the smell.  It's thick but not too thick.  And it doesn't leave that weird lotiony film on my hands.  I'm someone who really uses her hands.  I don't have long pretty painted fingernails or frou frou hands.  I have really excellent kind of tool hands that are good at getting out knots and opening packages and typing fast.  So, this is how I reward them.

Happy Talk-The Nancy Wilson version of this song is perfect in every way.

Hiccups-I don't get them often but when I do, they are kind of a big deal.  They are loud for starters and they last forever.  I've tried every remedy and nothing seems to work.  Sometimes I hold my breath and swallow three times and that does the trick but mostly not so much.  But here's the thing.  I'm pretty good at getting other people's hiccups to go away.  There's a certain spot on your hand between the thumb and finger, a pressure point, and if you give me your hand, I can find it and rub away your hiccups.  I swear it works.

Hopscotch-I rock at it.  'Nuff said.

Hoegaarden-Known in my house as "lawnmower beer" this is one beer that I like to drink more than two of. It's light but not "Lite" if you know what I mean.  I'm not really a beer snob, but after enduring endless pitchers of Bass and Guinness with loser boyfriends in my 20s, this beer spoke to me when I found it at age 24.  We have had an ongoing love affair ever since.

Having no shoes on- I am barefoot as I type this as I mentioned above.  Shoes make me feel slightly claustrophobic.  Especially if I'm indoors.  Indoor shoes=weird. I was told once that for each astrological sign, there is a specific body part associated.  I'm not one that really buys into all that horoscope stuff, but for Pisces, it's the feet. 

Hey Hey It's Saturday- When I lived in Australia, we had three channels.   On the weekends, we had a choice of all day Cricket, all day Aussie Rules Footie, and on Saturdays, Hey Hey It's Saturday.  At the time, it seemed awesome, but maybe that was just in comparison to the other options? As they say in one of my all time favorite movies, The Castle, the only thing better than Hey Hey It's Saturday is The Best of Hey Hey It's Saturday.

Holiday Meme

I haven't done a meme in a while and since it's a national holiday and I need to get that grill going, I'll defer to this instead of a real post.

What were you doing 10 years ago?

Let's see, spring/summer 1997, I was living at my parents' house and planning my wedding and the soon-to-follow move to Seattle.  My lease was up and I knew we'd be moving in the fall, so I packed it all up and trekked it out to the 'burbs.  I was kind of half working my ridiculous financial services job, but mostly tearing pictures of flowers out of bridal magazines and counting the days before the big adventure began.

What were you doing 1 year ago?

Having a very hard time.  It was about to get worse before it got better.

Five snacks you enjoy:
1). cold mango
2). pistachios
3). anything crunchy and salty
4). lime popsicles
5). edamame

Five songs that you know all the lyrics to (This is a hard one.  I never know all the words)
1). Modern Major General-from Gilbert & Sullivan's The Pirates of Penzance
2). One, Two Step-Ciara and Missy Elliott (courtesy of my children)
3). Faithfully-Journey
4). Crazy-Patsy Cline
5). The Stroke-Billy Squier

Five things you would do if you were a millionaire:
1). Pay off the house
2). Secure all college funds
3). Travel.  I'd go everywhere.
4). Get a massage every day
5). Open a shop

Five bad habits:
1). I'm impatient
2). I don't hang my clothes up when I take them off.  They sit in a pile in the bathroom.
3). I feel compelled to speak my mind at very unfortunate times
4). I constantly clench my jaw.  Ask my dentist about this one
5). I have a hard time just being present.  I think about the past and the future a lot

Five things you like doing:
1). Sitting with friends and drinking in the evening with good food and no responsibilities (and no mosquitos)
2). Organizing anything (weird, I know)
3). Driving in the car with the windows down and the music cranked
4). Listening to my children talk and play
5). Creating anything

Five things you would never wear again:
1). I think a bikini is probably out at this age
2). Cheap shoes that hurt
3). A perm with bangs
4). Pleated pants of any sort
5). Anything yellow

Five favorite toys:
1). iPod
2). the Mac
3). the pool
4). play doh
5). sewing machine

The Last Time

I've been tagged-

The last movie you loved:
Little Miss Sunshine.  That scene with Olive in bed asking her Grandfather if she's pretty.  The whole movie is so perfect.  I loved it.

The last song you danced to:
"Save Room" by John Legend just last night. How can you not dance when you hear that song?

The last thing you ate:
Cookies and milk before bed last night while we watched Six Feet Under.

The last time you lost your temper:
This morning getting the kids ready for school. How many times do I need to say, "Get dressed?" 

The last time you drank too much:
Out with the girls about a month ago.  One of my friends saw a cute guy in the bar and I went and told him she had the hots for him. She later thanked me.

The last time you were sick:
Currently sporting a cough.

The last book you read:
Just started reading The Rainbow by DH Lawrence for the 2nd time. It's so beautifully written.  Check out this text from the first chapter-the 5th paragraph detailing the relationship between the farmers and the land.

The last time you overslept:
No idea.  I don't usually oversleep.  I have a serious internal clock.

The last argument you had:
Christmas Eve?  Not sure if that was an argument or not.

The last thing that made you laugh out loud:
My brother.  Nothing particular.  Just my brother in general.

The last time you bit your tongue:
Christmas Day listening to the most ignorant discussion of politics I've ever heard. I just walked out of the room.

The last time you cried:
Listening to BoyChild tell the Christmas Story at church.

The last great news you received:
That my dear friend in Australia, Rebecca, is expecting a baby.  She's waited a long time for this and she deserves it.

The last very bad news your received:
That my friend Mike's mother died in England last week.  She was in her 90's and very sick, but I have really sweet memories of her when I went to Europe with my dad. I was very homesick for my mom and she tucked me in one night and kissed me on the forehead and I slept non-stop for about 15 hours (jet-lag).

The last thing you bought for yourself:
A coke out of the machine at work.

The last thing you bought for someone else:
A pair of cufflinks for my dad because he just got a new tuxedo.

The last thing you cooked:
Oatmeal for the kids' breakfast.

The last time you felt peaceful:
Christmas day when we all took a nap after opening presents.

What's In?

Been tagged with this meme...What's "In?"

In My Purse:
Always a disaster.  Misc. receipts, Nuks for GirlChild, boxes of raisins, iPod, cell, lipstick I never wear, bottle of water, wallet, loose change, keys, tons of lists I make constantly.

In My Fridge:
Organic milk, salmon for dinner tonight, cheese, OJ, every condiment available to the human species (esp Asian stuff), applesauce, sugar free choc puddings, yogurt, chix salad from yesterday, eggs, butter (the real deal), about 12 different kids of jams, salad makin's, some ham, cottage cheese, whole wheat tortillas, vanilla half-n-half, bacon, nothing exciting.

In My Closet:
Clothes (obviously), laundry basket, tons of shoes, purses, scarves, belts, hats (I have a million hats for some reason), and tap shoes.  Haven't used them in a while, but I still have 'em.  Rubbermaid tubs full of things like ski masks and gloves and backpacks, a dresser with Drew's clothes (yes, folks, he's been relegated to the closet) that is constantly topped with bank receipts, business cards, guitar picks, sunglasses, his iPod, loose change, pocket watches, pens, etc.

In My Car:
iPod adapter, kids shoes (they always take them off as soon as we start anywhere) Cheerios and raisins everywhere, 2 enormous carseats, an old can of coke, baby wipes (essential item), ponytail holders over the turn signal, a stack of applewood that I got for my Dad's smoker, sunglasses, more Nuks, misc. Happy Meal toys.

Firsts

Been tagged with yet another meme.  I think I'm going to have to put the kabash on these things.  God, it feels like, "Ok, so enough about me...what do YOU think of me??"  Blah Blah Blah.  Just a warning, don't be offended if I bail out of the next meme.  However, that being said...today, it's easier to answer questions than to come up with a topic.  Yawn. 

All about FIRSTS:

1.Who was your first prom date?
I was asked to my Junior Prom on Wednesday. Prom was on Saturday. I had been back in the States about  3 months and didn't really know anyone at my school yet. There was this guy who was in my high school’s production of West Side Story with me who was a senior and was supposed to take a girl named Jenna.  I didn't really know him at all, but the weekend before Prom, we hung out a bit at the “wrap party” for the show.  I’m not sure exactly what happened, but he dumped his date on Monday and asked me to go on Wednesday.  I reluctantly said “yes” (reluctantly because I didn't like him like that and I kind of knew he liked me like that, but I accepted against my better judgement.)  Then spent the whole night excusing myself to go to the bathroom when a slow song came on so I wouldn’t have to dance with him.  He told me later that I ruined his Senior Prom and that he hated me because I should have told him I didn't like him. 

2.Who were your first roommates?
My first non-dorm living away from my parents house situation, I lived with my boyfriend, Mike (yes, my parents had a total conniption over this) and his friend, Danny.  Lived there just over a year and then got my first own apartment. 

3.What alcoholic beverage did you drink the first time you got drunk?
It’s embarrassing but I was in 9th grade.  I was at a parents-gone-for-the-weekend-party, and a friend of mine concocted some drink with about 6 different liquors in it and told me to hold my nose and chug it.  Seemed like a fine idea at the time.  I don’t remember much of what happened after that, but I think I accounted for every drunk-girl cliche including such favorites as undressing on a table, crying, throwing up,  and having to be carried out of the house.  Thank God I don't remember.  It was a long time until I drank again and I’ve never ever been that drunk since. 

4.What was your first job?
Working at a big department store at the mall in Australia called Myer. I worked in “Accessories” selling gloves and belts and purses. 

5.What was your first car?
I was 17 when we moved back from Australia and didn't know how to drive yet.  My dad bought me a brand new Toyota Corolla and taught me how to drive stick shift.  I took it to Seattle with us and had it for a long, long time.  Now my cousin drives it.   Still runs great.

6. When did you go to your first funeral?
First and only funeral was for my friend, Kelly in 8th grade.  She and her parents were killed in a plane crash over Christmas break.  I remember little about it except it was freezing and rainy and I ran out the back door sobbing before it was over.

7. How old were you when you first moved away from your hometown?
I’m not sure what my hometown was, but the first time I moved far away from where my parents lived, besides college, was when I was 26 and had been married for 3 weeks  I moved to Seattle.

8. Who was your first grade teacher?
I had two (three?)-Mrs. Lanham in Florida, then Mrs. Anchor in Valdosta, Georgia, then Mrs. Lanham again (we moved back.)

9. Where did you go on your first ride on an airplane?
When we moved to Florida when I was 4.  My mother, brother, and I flew and my dad drove our stuff down.  It was also my mother’s first airplane ride and I remember her being very nervous. 

10. When did you sneak out of your house for the first time and who was it with?
Probably age 13 to go to a party in my neighborhood.  The party was lame and I made it back with no problems.  But I realized I'd never ever enjoy myself if I snuck out because I was too paranoid about getting caught so I didn't do much of that as a teenager. 

11.Who was your first Best Friend and are you still friends?
Probably Liz Clack in 4th grade.  Her dad was a Medical Examiner like Quincy on TV and they lived in this amazing house with a slide on their pool and an intercom system and an alarm, which seemed like a big deal in 1981.  She was really into Miss Piggy and got her boobies before anyone else.  I have no idea where she is now.

12. Where did you live the first time you moved out of your parents' house?
In Virginia-Highlands (Atlanta) with Mike and Danny.  In a big house that had been converted into 6 smaller apartments. 

13. Who is the first person you call when you have a bad day?
My husband. 

14. Who's wedding were you in the first time you were a bridesmaid?
My sister-in-law’s.  I wore a pale green dress and sang a song during the ceremony. Then she was in my wedding 3 months later.

15. What are the first three things you do in the morning?
Pee then brush my teeth then pull my hair up.

16. What was the first concert you ever went to?
Cyndi Lauper with the Bangles.  She filmed the Money Changes Everything video at the concert.

17. First tattoo or piercing?
Talked my mother into letting me get my ears pierced when I was nine.  Begged and begged to get them double pierced but she said,  "Absolutley not. No one needs that many holes in their ears." Waited until she was in Singapore (7th grade) to have it done and was in big trouble when they got back.  Then had my cousin pierce my left ear way up at the top when I was 14.  Hurt like a mother fucker.

18. First Celebrity Crush?
Shaun Cassidy.  First Grade.

19. Age of first kiss?
Thirteen while dancing to Duran Duran’s Save a Prayer at a school dance.

20. First crush?
First one I actually recall was in Kindergarten on a boy named Daniel.  My mother tells me it was earlier on a boy in pre-school and I insisted on wearing dresses everyday to lure him into my 4 year old web, but I have absolutely no memory of him. 

21. First time you did drugs?
Me?  Drugs?  Uh, isn't that illegal? 
Age fourteen in a dark car, in a cul-de-sac of a new neighborhood, someone pulled out a joint.  Ended up very sick and had to stay home for a week from school.  Didn’t try it again until my freshman year of college.

22. First slow dance?
5th grade with a boy named John at a Halloween party.  I was dressed as a princess and won the costume contest (I believe I might have had a hanging flower pot holder draped over my head?) and I asked him to dance (always a little forward with the boys) and he said “yes.”  We danced to For Your Eyes Only (you know, the love theme from the James Bond 1981 film?) Then I asked him about ten more times that night.  Couldn’t get enough.  My mom (who was at the party with all the other mothers) finally pulled me aside and said "Uh, Sweetie,  maybe you should let him rest or let him dance with someone else for a change?" 

About Last Night Meme

I've been tagged with another meme.  About Last Night...

1. Name three things you always do before bed.
Take a bath, pull my hair out of the inevitable pony tail, kiss my husband

2. What did you wear to bed last night?
Drew's white t-shirt and his boxer-briefs.  Freshly washed cotton...mmmm...

3. Longest stretch of uninterrupted sleep last night?
Eight hours and I feel like I need 3 more.  That's really sad.

4. What side of the bed do you sleep on?
If you're looking at the bed, I'm on the left.

5. What (if any) books are on your nightstand?
White Teeth, Franny and Zooey,my journal, Anais Nin Collected Works (just grabbed that off the book shelf a few weeks ago to peruse.  I'm not really reading it.)

6. Last thing you ate before you went to bed last night
Fresh raspberries.

7. What did you dream about last night (if you remember)?
I was at one of those bullshit corporate training meetings I used to have to attend constantly in my pre-kids life.  We were breaking for dinner and I went back to my room before meeting in the hotel lobby and I was going to brush my teeth but I couldn't find my toothbrush anywhere.  Was worried they would leave without me.  Frantically searching for my toothbrush.  Exciting, huh?

8. Do you snore?  Grind your teeth?  Talk in your sleep?
No, sometimes, sometimes.

9. Your last nightmare?
Was shopping with GirlChild and turned around and my shopping cart was gone.  Freaked out and demanded that they lock all the doors and not let anyone out of the store.  Police came.  I was frantic and screaming and no one was taking me seriously.  I actually had to get out of bed to make sure that I wouldn't continue that dream.

10. What position do you sleep in?  Back?  Stomach?  Side?
Stomach or side.  Can't sleep on my back.

11. How many pillows?
A minimum of 3.  Ideally, 5.  One under my head, one for between my legs and one to hug (if I'm on my side.)  If on my stomach, just one is fine.

12. Blanket preference?
Can't sleep without something on me.  Even if it's sweltering, I want a sheet.  Not much into anything too heavy or too many layers.  Simple quilt or thin comforter is fine.  Must be cotton.  No acrylics in bed, please.

13.  Do you watch TV in bed?
No.  Never unless I'm at a hotel and then it's kind of a treat.  I have a general rule that there's no TV in our room. The bed is for 2 things and 2 things only.

Tag.  You're it.  Play along in comments or on your blog. 

Meme

Bun in the Oven done tagged me, folks.  I realize, in reviewing my answers to these questions, that I might possbly be the most boring person in the entire world.  More boring than John Kerry, even. 

3 Things You Wish For (just for you)

1. The ability to just let it go
2. To stop looking ahead and be right here, right now
3. Patience

3 Things You Would Do To/For Yourself If There Was No One To Judge You (or if you had the guts to do it!)

1. hire a personal masseuse
2. go back to school and study music
3. take tap dancing lessons

3 Bad Habits You Have

1. get irritated when no one helps and when someone does, get irriated that they don't do it just like me
2. always suggest going out dancing at, like, 2 am after too much wine
3. yell

3 Insecurities You Feel

(I only get three?)
1. being completely ignorant about what's happening in the world since having kids
2. head to toe-a million of them
3. being lumped into the stepford wife club

3 Talents/Skills You Wish You Had
1. painting/drawing/illustration
2. remember what i learned
3. foreign languages

3 Things That You Would Do If You Had More Time
1. write something significant
2. work on the documentary we started 3 years ago
3. stop doing stuff

3 Things That Bring You Peace/Relaxation
1. bubble baths
2. lying in the sun with the kids
3. drinking with friends (really.  does that make me a lush?)

3 Things That Spark Your Creativity
1. smart/creative people
2. pressure
3. music

My 80s Alter-Ego

Courtesy of Dawn, here's my latest meme...

I chose Andrew Rigley as my 80s alter-ego.  Not only did we have the same hair-do there for a bit and had the same skinny, flat-chest chic look that was quite popular circa 1984, I think I know the pain that ole Andy musta felt.  Never really being in the spotlight  Always being outshined by the prettier one, the one with even better hair, the GAYer one.  No matter how hard he rocked the 80s dance, there was George in his shorter shorts and harder nipples.  Yes, I can relate.  Andrew Rigley, my testament to the 80s.

Four By Four

I’ve been tagged to do a meme.  I'm new to being public so this is all new to me and I certainly don’t want to get a reputation among fellow bloggers of not playing nicely, so here goes:

Four by Four Meme

Four jobs you’ve had in your life:

Wednesday Night Entertainment

Carwash Gal (I dried the cars as they came out of the wash all summer long)

The Little Mermaid (also Snow White, The Pink Power Ranger, and Alice in Wonderland)

Law Firm Temp Receptionist ("Somebody, Somebody, and Somebody else.  How may I direct your call?")

Four movies you could watch over and over: 

To Kill A Mockingbird

Giant

Coal Miner’s Daughter

Saturday Night Fever (I am so feeling the dancing in this film.  Plus it’s the first cassette I ever bought with my own money.)

Plus: The Piano, The English Patient, anything by Merchant/Ivory, The Outsiders, Mary Poppins, Grease, Gattica, Romeo & Juliet (Zeferelli version), Babydoll, Breakfast at Tiffanys, A Patch of Blue, Urban Cowboy, The Exorcist, The Shining, Footloose, It's a Wonderful Life, Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolf?

Four places you’ve lived: 

Houston, Texas

Sarasota, Florida

Melbourne, Australia

Valdosta, Georgia (for 3 months.  My mother couldn't purchase fingernail polish remover on a Sunday because it contains alcohol and she decided it was time we got the hell out of there.)

Four TV shows you love to watch:

Lost

Arrested Development

Daily Show

The Andy Griffith Show (but only in black and white)

Four places you’ve been on vacation:

Puerto Rico

London

Tasmania

Hong Kong

Four websites you visit daily:

Google

Dooce

Bank of America (have I bounced any checks today?Did they accidentally deposit a load of money into my account?)

I can’t think of a fourth one I'm that loyal to.  I’m all over the place.

Four of your favorite foods:

fresh mango

sushi

tiramisu

girl scout Samoa cookies

Four places you’d rather be:

Whistler, B.C. by a fire after a day of skiing the bunny slopes with an irish coffee and my snuggle bunny

driving to our bed and breakfast in the countryside of New Zealand

the tub upstairs

the beach anywhere with my family and a nanny on call.

Four albums you can’t live without: This is a tough one.  It changes constantly.  The four that have lived in the CD player the past few months-

Iron & Wine

Ray LaMontagne

Tegan & Sara

and there’s always a Radiohead CD in there.  Always.

Four Bloggers Tagged To Play Along:
texasbelle
ntisocl
untitledlife
justanormalday