Web Test Taker Analysis
	Anne is a kooky menace with too much free time You use web tests to annoy people on regular basis. Medication might help.
Take the test yourself, or not.

via Christine

The Sunday Op-Ed

1) The Easter Bunny

The bunny who used to leave bunny foot prints on the floor of my Uncle George's house, but never at ours. But that's okay. Santa used to leave us notes on the blackboard in the kitchen but didn't leave notes for Uncle George's kids.

2) Cadbury

What I used to think of every time I read the name "Carbury" in the book I just finished reading.

3) Parades

Something I like to watch, but not participate in. I remember as a little kid wondering every Easter why we didn't have an Easter parade. I used to think I'd like to be in that parade with my Easter bonnet.

Thanks Chris!

I have another story about Chico Ringo. When I was 6 years-old my best friend Lisa moved in next door. She and her family had lived about half a block away, but it was across a fairly busy street which meant we couldn't just go play together any time we wanted. So when the family moved next door to us it was a big deal. Lisa has a sister who's my sister's age and a brother a year younger than my brother, so we were all pretty happy. Even though Lisa's parents are about 20 years younger than my parents, they got to be friends as well. In fact, Lisa's mom and my mom are still very close although Lisa's mom moved several years ago. (not far; just a few blocks away) Anyway, Lisa's family adopted Buttons about the same time we adopted Chico Ringo. Buttons was *gasp* a dog! We thought for sure Buttons and Chico Ringo would fight like, well, cats and dogs. But it was just the opposite. They loved each other. Sometimes when Buttons was on her chain in the front yard Chico Ringo would go sit on the neighbor's front porch. They'd nap next to each other, watch the neighbor's and other animals go by and just generally hang out and do whatever it is cats and dogs do when they're not with their people. They were so cute together, just like cats and dogs who grow up in the same house. Buttons also lived to a ripe old age. Our family was just as sad as Buttons' family when she had to be put to sleep. But we all knew, at least (if you believe in that sort of thing), Chico Ringo and Buttons would be together again.

Again, there's no point to this post. It's just something I wanted to share.

Happy Easter!

I was in high school when my parents finally decided it was okay for us to have a pet. My brother had turtles. I had a salamander (Sammy). We all had goldfish. But they decided we were ready for a cat. Actually, it was my mom who gave the go-ahead. gave in to our pleading. My dad didn't want a cat in the house. No way. No how. So, around the time of my brother's 7th birthday (I think it was his 7th) we got Chico Ringo. (I was the only person in the house with a crush on Freddie Prinze). My dad looked at her, then disappeared for a while. When he came back, he had a little white ceramic bowl with him. That had been his cat's feeding dish when he was a little boy. We later learned that the reason my dad didn't want us to have a cat is that he was so devastated when his cat died. He didn't want us to go through that, and he didn't want to go through it again either. When Chico Ringo died 14 years later, we were all pretty upset. But my dad is the one who made a memorial marker out of a stone and placed it under the rose bush where Chico Ringo liked to sun herself in the backyard.

Do you ever see people on the street or in a parking lot or anyplace else and make up stories about them? Yesterday zack and I were waiting for our friend while he was in the convenience store buying gas, water, smokes, Mountain Dew, lottery ticket (all the essentials). We see this guy next to the Dumpster cleaning out his purple pickup truck. He had handful after handful of soda bottles, water bottles, papers, fast food bags. You name it. It was probably in there. So zack said he probably had a hot date ... his first ever. (You'd have to see the guy to realize zack was probably right about this guy never going on a date.) Then I said maybe he has to clean out the truck because he's taking his mother to church on Sunday. No sooner did I say that when zack saw the guy take two Bibles from the back and put them in the front seat.

I didn't promise an earth-shattering post. *s* I just wanted to share something I shared with zack because I haven't seen him in a long time and I really missed him.

Yesterday my friend and I were talking about our days working in convenience stores. We both liked working morning shifts best. Why? It's nice to know that you started someone's day off on the right track. And just think. If you started someone's day off right, that person may pass the good feelings on to other people, and so on and so on and so on ....

When I was a senior in college my 3 best friends and I spent Easter break in Bermuda. It was totally awesome! We stayed at a guest house. Our hosts were an older married couple, George and Ida Storms. They were wonderful. They even gave the okay for us to hang out at their private club on the beach. But there was one really strange thing that happened/we all learned. You know how in America (at least the places I know here) Good Friday is more or less a solemn occasion (or at least it used to be), a time for contemplation, reflection, prayer? Well, when we woke up on Good Friday morning, we found a loaf of freshly baked banana bread on our doorstep and a note that said "Happy Good Friday." We later learned that the annual kite show is held on Good Friday every year. Generally, Good Friday is a day of celebration in Bermuda. I guess it's all in your perspective on things.

via mikey

The Friday Five

1. If you could eat dinner with and "get to know" one famous person (living or dead), who would you choose? Jesus Christ. I didn't always feel that way. Just a few years ago I might have said Bruce Springsteen or Sandra Bullock. But now, I think I'd like to find out how Jesus feels about the world today, and if I'm living my life in a way that he thinks is okay.

2. Has the death of a famous person ever had an effect on you? Who was it and how did you feel? I was really sad when JFK Jr. died. I can't quite place my finger on the reason why. Part of it is that I'd had a crush on him since I was 16. Also, I think he had a lot of potential and was just beginning to live up to it. I was also very sad when Princess Diana died. I think she really was a good person with a good heart and wanted to help people.

3. If you could BE a famous person for 24 hours, who would you choose? Sandra Day O'Connor

4. Do people ever tell you that you look like someone famous? Who? Quite a few, actually. Mostly though (this is when I was thin) it's been Drew Barrymore or (now) Rosie O'Donnell.

5. Have you ever met anyone famous? Yes. Hillary Clinton, Ben Vereen, Leslie Uggams, Maureen McGovern, Crystal Gayle, Marilyn Horne, Doc Severinsen, the Oakridge Boys, football Hall of Famers Jim Kelly and Joe Theisman, Pro-Bowl football player Henry Jones, football players Jack Lambert, Jack Webster and Rocky Bleir and the guy who invented Zippo lighters (he was my neighbor). I also talked to Tom Ridge on the phone.

HumpDayHump via Pegasong

1) If you could choose any job/career you wanted (experience and education not an issue), what would you choose? Believe it or not, that's a tough one for me. I had my dream job for nearly six years, but the last year or so was such a nightmare that I'm not sure I even want to step into a newsroom again, let alone work in one. But if I have to pick something, I guess I'd like to be a novelist.

2) Do you have a hobby? What is it? Yes. Goofing off the computer and Internet. I have others, but that's the main one.

3) Would you ever consider making money at it? You bet! I'm making a little right now (very little), but I'm hoping that I can make enough to actually make a difference soon.

take free enneagram test

swiped from Nick

This is my favorite story about me and my dad.

Dad, my sister and I were walking home from the park one day when we ran into a friend of my dad's. During their conversation, this friend was raving about what a sweet child I was. I was 4 or 5 at the time. The friend said to my Dad, "How much do you want for her." My Dad answered, "This one's priceless." When we went inside the house, I ran to my room and started crying. My Mom came in and asked me what was wrong. Sobbing, I said "Daddy wants to give me away." Confused, my Mom asked what I meant by that. Still sobbing, I said "Mr. Douglas wanted to buy me but Daddy said he would give me away for free." My Mom left the room. Shortly after that, my Dad came in, gave me a big hug and explained "priceless" to me. "It doesn't mean that you don't have a price like something that's free," he said. "It means that there's not a price in the world that's high enough for you."

Today's kind of a strange day. It's the anniversary of the day Nick asked me to marry him. What a magical night that was! I still remember it as if it was only yesterday instead of a year ago. It couldn't have been more perfect. The strange thing is, even Nick didn't know how perfect it was at the time. What Nick didn't know then is that March 26 is my dad's birthday. Every once in a while since he died more than 10 years ago I felt his presence. Or at least I wanted to believe I did. But in the last year I felt it even more. When I was getting ready to move here, I kind of had the feeling Dad was watching over me. But after I got here, it was even stronger than that. We've even smelled his after shave lotion. I don't know why Dad would be hanging around here instead of back in Pennsylvania with my mom, but I'm glad he is. I think he's happy than I'm finally happy.

Happy birthday Dad!

...and, my Monday Mission

1. What helps you get started every morning? Coffee and a smoke

2. What is the most memorable thing anyone has ever made for you? Drawings that my little friends April, Rodney, Robbie, Stephy and Rebecca did for me

3. What music are you currently listening to in your car? A new radio station that's been "rockin' Bakersfield for over 10 days." I laughed so hard when I heard that for the first time.

4. One thing I like to do is buy USA Today on Wed, Thur and Fri. Even if I don't have the money, I will find a way to buy them, because I just love reading them. What is one "splurge" you allow yourself, even when you shouldn't? Here's where my geekiness really comes out. I love office supplies -- notebooks, pens, Post-it notes, notebooks, folders, notebooks.

5. Have you ever been given a "second chance?" What happened and did you make the most of it? I'm living my second chance right now. Everything in my old life was a dead end. I have a brand new lease on life now.

6. Do you have a lot of friends outside of your own ethnic background? Not a lot, but some, including one very dear friend.

7. What was the last situation that really, really pissed you off? I can't think of any right now, but I do get pissed off a lot so I know there's something. Lately, though, I've been trying to let those things go and concentrate only on positive things in my life.

BONUS: Who's your friend when things get rough? H.R. Pufnstuf ... and Nick

If it's Monday, it's time for participation positives:

*Nick
*Nick sent me the cutest card to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the day we met in person
*I'm here instead of in an airplane flying cross country like I was at this time last year
*I'm still doing pretty well on cutting back on smoking
*Ron Howard, Halle Berry and Denzel Washington won
*I have a family who loves me
*The sun's out
*I'm in such a good mood that I'm sitting here smiling
*I was fairly productive over the weekend
*participation positives makes me think of all these good things in my life
*the best husband in the world

Thanks Jess!

Eight From the Eighties...

1) You might as well face it, you're addicted to...
...the Internet, blogging and Nick

2) All I really need to do is find myself a brand new...
...diet, preferrably one that allows me to eat cheese, chocolate and Cheetos without gaining an ounce. If that's not possible, I could use a new 'puter.

3) Who's the wind beneath your wings?
Nick and my mom.

4) Who gives love a bad name?
I could make a list, but I have to start dinner in about 2 1/2 hours so I'm not even going to start. It wouldn't be fair to leave one of the losers out because of time constraints, would it?

5) Are you too shy?
Online - No. Out in the real world? You bet! I was even voted shyest girl in my high school class.

6) Do you work hard for the money?
No. But I used to work way too hard, so I guess it evens out. I expect to be working harder very soon, I hope.

7) There's something strange in your neighborhood. Who you gonna call?
Ghostbusters. Seriously. We have ghosts here. They're nice though. The other strange stuff in the neighborhood could probably be handled by the police, but since we're moving I'm hoping it just stays relatively calm 'til we're outta here.

8)Why do I find it hard to write the next line?
Writer's block. Either that or I'm afraid to totally open up. I'm getting better at that, but I still have some issues.

The Sunday Op-Ed

Here's the deal:
There are three answers to questions not yet asked. Take each answer and see if you can come up with an unusual question.

1)Chocolate
What is both the best thing, that's also the worst thing, that helps me keep from smoking as much?

2)The beach
What is the place I don't get to nearly as often as I'd like, but really relaxes me and makes feel good?

3)My First Celebrity Crush
Who was Jack Wild, who played "Jimmy" on H.R. Pufnstuf. He's the first I can remember anyway. Well, him and Jan Brady, but I don't know if she actually counts as a crush. But she is my favorite Brady.

Know what I was doing one year ago today (as someone reminded me)? I was freaking out big time! Why? Because one year ago tomorrow is the day that certain someone and I met for the first time in person. Wow! In some ways it seems like there's no way a year could have passed already. In other ways, it seems as if it's forever since I've been here.

Finally! It's not perfect, but it'll do for now. (If only the archives would work.)

mmmm mmmmm mmmmm Cherry Garcia

grrrrrrrrrrr! I spent all morning doing a new layout for this thing and now Blogger won't let me publish it! grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr (again)

I usually don't write about this stuff, but if I can't write here, what's the point of having a blog? I have lots of, umm, issues. Some I deal with pretty well, I guess. Others are a bit tougher. I'm getting better at talking about them -- thanks to Nick -- and that seems to help. He's actually helped me to figure out what some of my problems are. For example, it seemed that every time we had days off and had plans to do something outside the house, I'd get sick. I'm talking violent vomiting, migraines, feeling feverish. It was awful. A few weeks ago, Nick figured out that I have agoraphobia (sp?). It's not as bad as some people have it, but I've still got it. Since we identified the problem, it's gotten a little better. I seem to have more anxiety attacks, though, and I'm sure it's related somehow. I feel like a freak sometimes because of it. I know it's real, but it's still freaky to me. Take last night for example. We were going to my in-laws for dinner and they were going to teach us a new game (Sequence. It's really fun.) and I really wanted to go. I love my in-laws. I really, really do. They're great people and they totally accepted me into the family. I can't say enough good things about them. But as it got closer to the time we were supposed to go, I got anxious, nervous, I felt as if I had heart palpitations but I didn't. It was bad. I kept coming up with excuses (in my head) why I couldn't go. But I forced myself to do it. But the ride over there was awful for me. In my head, I kept saying. "We're not really going are we?" "We're just taking a little drive, then we're going back home." "This isn't happening. I'm dreaming it. We're going home soon." Then when we got to the intersection right before their house I kept saying to myself "Please don't turn onto Auburn. Please don't turn .... Please don't turn ...." over and over and over. But we did turn and then I got this tightness in my chest and I got all dizzy. I had that feeling until we turned into the driveway and I saw my father-in-law. After that, I was fine. *sigh* I thought writing about this would make me feel better, but it actually makes me feel like more of a freak. I'm going to publish it anyway, though, so I can (hopefully) look back on it someday and see how much progress I've made.

What Snack Food are YOU? Click here to find out!

*sigh* I really wanted to be Cheetos. However, I was just informed by someone who will remain nameless that Cheetos are not a snack food. They're junk food. I beg to differ. Cheetos have real cheese in them. So, not only are they a snack, they are a member of one of the basic food groups.

Someone loves us. How cute!



Thank you Secret Bunny, whoever you are. *s*

Here's my Monday Mission

1. As a child, did you ever wish you had a different name, maybe a name you wish your parents had chosen? To what would change it if you could? I had two. One was Wendy; the other was Amy. When I told my mom I wished my named was Amy, she said she chose names that would "grow with us." Now I guess I see what she meant. Imagine years from now when grandmothers are going to be named Britney, Tiffany and Heather. Anyway, I don't think I'd change my name even if I could.

2. What skill have you been wanting to learn but have just kept putting off? A lot of things that have to do with computers, php for example.

3. Are there there any regional foods you love but just can't get where you are living now? (burger chain, ice cream shop, etc. that was in your hometown but has no locations where you are today) Yes! Bison French Onion Chip Dip! It's sold only in Western New York and parts of Northwestern Pennsylvania. Also, beef on weck. There are things that are close here, but not close enough.

4. What recreational activity would you take up if you had the time and/or money? I really can't think of any.

5. What's the biggest lie you've ever told? Has anybody ever found out? Without getting into the details of why this conversation started, I told my mother I was a virgin when I wasn't. I think she knew the truth all along. Since then, I don't think I told anyone until now that I lied to my mom. But at least one person knows the events leading up to the lie.

6. What was your favorite Saturday morning cartoon when you were growing up? Bugs Bunny. I still like Bugs and Tweety. Even thought they weren't cartoons, I also loved H.R. Puffnstuf, and even had the soundtrack album of the show. I liked the Bugaloos, too, and Land of the Lost. The Flintstones weren't on Saturday mornings, were they? Anyway, I think the Flinstones are great!

7. Let's say one of your relatives slipped you a $100 bill, to help you out for the month. Your significant other didn't see it, would you tell them or keep it to yourself? I'd tell him. I don't keep any secrets from Nick.

It's time for participation positives ... a way to start monday

Nick
a family who loves me
we're moving into a brand new house in about 6 weeks!
I'm cutting down on smoking
I got a cool e-mail that made me feel good
this post
did I mention the new house?
I'm getting some really interesting comments here from some cool people. Thanks!
I made some money from epinions
I typed epinions correctly the first time instead of the "epionions," like I usually do
participation positives makes me smile
The RAOK Group makes me smile
the sun's out
Nick

I'm trying to quit smoking. I'm not doing a very good job. It's probably because, as bad as I know it is, I'm not ready yet. Kind of strange coming from someone with a family history of cancer and heart disease, wouldn't you say? Well, wish me luck.

Find out which LifeSaver you are.

I know writing/talking about politics and religion is only asking for trouble. But something has been bothering me since yesterday and if I don't write about it, I'll keep obsessing over it. There's a so-called "Christian" webring that has a blacklist of other webrings and groups its members are forbidden to join. Among these groups is The RAOK Group -- a group of people who believe spending 5 minutes a day spreading kindness on the Internet can make a difference. Why is RAOK so "bad," according to these people? Because Wiccans and gays (oh my God! No! Not those heathen homosexuals!!) and other naughty people are among the members. Other unacceptable practices/beliefs include transcendental meditation, numerology, ESP, new age, reincarnation and karma.

These are the kind of "Christians" that bother me and, quite frankly, scare me. Their tips and guidelines for deciding if the links on your site are acceptable include "Would you show this link to Jesus?" Well, yes. Yes I would point Jesus in the direction of RAOK. I like to think that if he didn't like it, we'd have a discussion about it. We'd listen to each other's points of view. He'd let me make my own decision. I debated on whether I should post a link to this site. I decided to do it so you can see for yourself, decide for yourself.

The link to the blacklisted sites was taken down yesterday after a few people expressed their opinions on it. I wish I could see it so I could show you what these "Christians" are saying about other people. It's one of the most un-Christian things I've ever seen. The woman who runs the group also deleted guestbook entries that took offense to the blacklist. Of course it's her right to delete anything she wants to from her guestbook, but I don't understand why she did it? Afraid of an intelligent discussion on the subject, perhaps?

I consider myself a Christian. However, I don't belong to an organized religion. I believe in being the best person I can be. I believe in helping others. I believe in being in kind. I believe in what Mahatma Gandhi taught -- "God has no religion." If we are to believe what the "Christians" in this group believe, we must believe Gandhi is not in heaven. Does anyone believe that?

*Take The Ice Cream Flavour Test!*

The Completely Pointless Personality Quiz

Today's Monday Mission:


1. I love to order a Wendy's "Frosty" and then dip my French Fries into it before I eat them. Do you have any eating habits others might think are odd? Do I ever! I think I have some that Nick doesn't even know about yet. Anyway, sometimes I like dipping my french fries in tartar sauce, but only if I'm eating fish. I like ketchup on my scrambled eggs, although I promised I wouldn't eat them that way in front of him. Let's see. I know I've got more, but I can't think of them right now.


2. What was the worst date you ever went on? I have to pick only one? Hmmm? I think this counts as a date since we weren't actually a couple and expected to go to weddings and family events together. It was his sister's wedding. The family's seats in the church were reserved and they didn't think to reserve one for me, so I had to sit by myself. At the reception, some relative forced me to eat something (I still don't know what it was) that made me sick and I ended up throwing up in the restroom for about 45 minutes. My date took that 45 minutes without me as an opportunity to get falling down drunk. He couldn't drive back to his parent's house afterward, so I had to drive a car I didn't know on a highway I didn't know, at night (I have mild night blindness) with a drunk guy giving me directions. At his parent's house, I was surrounded by relatives who were all older than me -- by about 40 years -- asking when the next wedding was. (We'd known each other for a month at the time.) Later, he drove me to my uncle's house, where I was spending the weekend. Although it was about 1 a.m. and I wasn't even sure if my uncle remembered to leave the door unlocked for me, my date didn't walk me to the door because it wasn't his "style." We broke up a few weeks later.


3. Who (or what site) inspired you to begin Blogging? These guys.


4. Have you inspired, encourgaed, or begged anyone else to start a Blog? I've been part of, how should I say this?, a group inspiration/encouragement thing to get a few people to start.


5. Any foods you just will not eat?Mussels. I just found that out recently. Nick's trying to "help" me with this answer. Uh. He's not helping.


6. Describe the worst Birthday party (adult or child's) that you ever attended? It wasn't so much the party that was bad, but what happened beforehand. I fell in the bathroom, cut my head on the corner of a drawer that was sticking out and had to get two stitches. I was 8 or 9.


7. What was the first music album you ever bought (tape, CD, LP, whichever or all of the above)? My dad used to buy me albums, so I had a little collection before I bought my very first one with my very own money. And yes, I'm going to admit this. It was The Partridge Family.


BONUS: Do you think you're what they say you are? da da da Su-perstar. Uh, yeah. They say I'm a freak. I am.

Which Drew Are You?

Okay, tell me what's worse: The fact that I actually took this test; the fact that Britney is my buddy; or the fact that I posted the results?

The Friday Five:

1. What makes you homesick? Thinking about my mom and the long talks we used to have. We still have long talks on the phone, but it's different in person.

2. Where is "home" for you? Is it where you are living now, or somewhere else (ie: Mom & Dad's house, particular state/city)? It was just about a year ago that I figured out "home" is where Nick is. I came here to visit for a week, but it only took a few hours before I realized this is where I belong.

3. What makes it home for you? People? Things?Nick

4. Where is the furthest you've been from home, miles-wise? 3778 miles. Paris, France. When I was 12, my aunt took me on a tour of Europe.

5. What are your plans for this weekend? A little work then, if all the planets are aligned properly, Nick and I are reinstituting our "Sunday date." Keep your fingers crossed for us, ok? It's been a long time.

Here's today's Thursday Threesome:

Onesome: Eat: What one food do you love so much that you could easily overeat (be specific here)? I have to pick only one? Hmmm. Actually, this is pretty easy. Mashed potatoes and gravy, preferrably turkey or country gravy and real potatoes as opposed to instant. I love them made with lots of butter and milk and still slightly lumpy. Mmmm.

Twosome: Drink: What one beverage do you drink more than anything? Water. I try my best to drink a gallon a day. Sometimes it's hard to do, but I feel much better if I do.

Threesome: Be Merry: When life has you down, what one thing can remind you to smile? Nick. He always seems to find a way to make me feel better.

Very cute, very pink, and very feminine. That's you.

Find your inner rubber ducky.

I'm a broccoli! I'm introverted but always try to be more outgoing. I'm sort of dim on the outside but inside I'm really a good person and always trying to fit in. Even though a lot of people don't like me, they really do learn to love me!

Take the Vegetable Quiz by Krysten!

You're a classic. You're popular. What else could you ask for? Maybe a taste in music, but that's up to you.

You are "Kraft Macaroni and Cheese". You cost a little more,
due to your promotional shapes and packaging, but the kids
won't stand for less. You try and be individual in
spite of this though. You prefer to be called "Cheese and
Macaroni" thank you very much.

Take the What Kind of Macaroni and Cheese Are You? Quiz

Created by LJ User RobProv222

I'm Lil, who are you? by Dru & Lexi






Which Rocky character are you?


Who's Your 80s Movie Icon Alter-Ego? Find out @ She's Crafty




Take the "How immature are you?" Test

created by sami





What is your meaning of life?

Which "Natural Wonder" are you?