It's Christmas Time!

Christmas decorations are up!! It's officially time to switch to my Christmas playlist. Whee!

Went Black Friday shopping with Crystal. The last time I went shopping the day after Thanksgiving was years ago, with my mother-in-law. It was just as I had imagined and I never wanted to go again. C and I went all over town and never really hit any crowds. We didn't go to the typical Walmart, Target, Best Buy, etc. so that may have helped with our pleasant shopping experience. We were at Pier 1 at some point though, and it was fine. Thank goodness for online shoppers staying home!

So... Mariah Carey has always been too much for me, with her over-the-top diva attitude. Many people think it's amusing and entertaining. I just think it's a silly part of her very orchestrated "persona." I do have one question though- why does she always sit with her arms away from her body? She looks oddly posed, like a store mannequin. I've seen two recent interviews and in both, she sits very tall, with her hands in her lap and her elbows out, or just with her arms out and her hands on the arm rest or the seat. Very strange.



WHAT THE...?! Gloria Steinem is 81???!! Sorry more randomness, but she just popped up in a TV interview right now. She looks fabulous. She looks 60!


Have you ever…

Dated someone you didn’t have feelings for?
No. Why would anyone waste their time doing that?
Hooked up with someone to make someone else jealous?
Heavens, no.
Dated or hooked up with a friend’s ex?
No
Regretted hooking up with someone?
I've never just "hooked up" with anyone, so no regrets!
Had a rumor spread that you hooked up with someone, but actually didn’t?
Not that I know of.
Did something sexual in a car?
Quite a bit.
Kissed someone who was a really bad kisser?
YES. Bad kissers cannot be reformed. They just have to be ditched in a hurry.
Been told that you were a bad kisser?
Nope.
Slept in the opposite sex’s clothing?
No
Slept in the opposite sex’s bed?
Yes.
Lied about dating or hooking up with someone?
Nope.
Got in trouble for public displays of affection?
Yes. Isn't high school fun?
Hooked up with two people in the same day?
No, but I did have two dates in one day.
Had a friend with benefits?
Absolutely not. Worst idea ever.
Have you ever been drunk or high?
Yep.
Describe the last party you were at:
We were at Scott-n-Julie's cul-de-sac Halloween party, where the neighbors all gather at the house on the corner of the main road. We all sat in a horseshoe and gave out candy, so the kids didn't have to go around the cul-de-sac.
Do you remember the first time you were drunk? If so, elaborate:
KimB was visiting from Louisiana, my sophomore summer. She and I took a drink out of every single bottle in my mom's liquor cabinet, from tequila to peppermint schnapps. It was terrible!
Have you ever been to a party that was busted by the cops?
Yep, in high school. I had been drinking quite a bit and was outside, being silly with some people in the street, with my friends trying desperately to get me to go inside. I just thought it was funny at the time, but they did manage to get me into the house before I got myself into trouble.
Do you or have you ever smoked cigarettes?
I smoked literally a cigarette or two in high school, and I didn't inhale.
Have you ever taken adderall, ritalin, or some other kind of drug to get high?
There was the one time in high school where my friend and I took something we were told was "speed" that was caffeine. I was just telling Lauren this week about how, when I got extremely dizzy and felt SO bad afterwards, asking Mom to take me to the ER, my mom said, "It serves you right! That's what happens when you take drugs!" So true, so true. It wasn't really drugs, but yes.
Do you get bad hangovers?
I have not drunk enough to have a hangover since I was in my twenties.
If so, do you do anything to get rid of the hangover?
Nothing but IV fluids can get rid of a hangover. So no.
Do you have a friend who ALWAYS throws the best parties?
Now- probably TracyR. In high school, Bas was the party king. (His parents were out of town a lot.) In college, Tiffany and Kathy threw the best parties.
Have you ever thrown a party?
We used to have parties, but we haven't in years. Our last was a beer tasting. SUPERfun!
Have you ever passed out or thrown up from being so drunk?
Not since college. Just remembering it makes me nauseous.
Is there someone who you always myspace/facebook stalk?
No. (Myspace? Is that still a thing?)
Do you ever wonder who myspace/facebook stalks you?
I’m sure no one does.
Do you know the password to any of your friends profiles?
Nope
If so, have you ever logged on without his/her permission?
-
Have you ever sent a friend request to someone just because you thought he/she was hot?
I don't friend anyone unless I actually know them in real life.
Have you ever sent a friend request to someone who you thought was someone different?
Yes. I linked to a person on LinkedIn who not only was NOT the person I thought she was, she was a HE. Put a photo on your social accounts, people.
Do you/have you ever watched porn?
Yep
Do you know someone who has ever made a fake profile to pretend to be someone else?
Angi's dog has a Facebook. I'm pretty sure it's actually Angi.
Do you think you spend way too much time on the internet?
Not for the past few years. I have a few sites I frequent, but I don't really hang out online much.
Have you ever gotten in trouble for putting up inappropriate pictures?
No.
Do you know anyone who has gotten in trouble for putting up pictures of people drinking?
No.
Have you ever chatted with someone on webcam?
Yes.
Do you think internet stalking is fun?
Sometimes, especially for new coworkers!
Have you ever snuck out/snuck people into your house?
I snuck people in, but quietly through the front door. Nothing involving a trellis.
Would you hook up with the last person you messaged?
Nope. (Sorry Crystal!)
Have you ever stolen something?
A friend and I stole mail from mailboxes once, when I was a kid. It was a felony, but instead of going to the big house, my parents made me bring it back and apologize. Worst. Punishment. Ever.
Have you ever lied to your parents about where you were?
Nope. My parents were pretty lenient about that kind of thing. As long as they knew where I was and when I would be home, it was fine. Sometimes I got a "What are you going to be doing THERE?" but as long as I had a legit activity to be done at that place, I was usually given permission. Now there was a clear understanding that if anyone's parents called my mom asking where we were, she would tell them in a New York minute. (Not my problem!)
Do you/have you ever had a friend that you secretly hated?
Nope.
What do you think about kids having sex at age 13 or younger?
That is creepy and sad.
Do you have any regrets?
Too few to mention.
Why or why not?
There are some things I would handle better if I could go back.
Do you ever go commando?
Very rarely.
What’s your bra size?
36C
Do you like the size of your boobs?
Yep
Would you rather them be bigger or smaller?
A little bigger would be fine, to balance out my German birthing hips.

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Allen's Mojo Returns

So proud of the Aggies!! Kyle Allen is back and hitting his receivers exactly like he was earlier in the season. The defense was the best I've seen in years. They were finally able to shut down the run, so I didn't have to yell at my TV through the whole game. Well other than to shout at Musburger, who never fails to sound like a drunk football fan who called in to give his inaccurate, sometimes bizarre thoughts on what's happening on the field. WHAT ARE YOU SMOKING, BRENT??!

NCAA football teams really need to call each other these days and ask what they're wearing before Saturday. Silver vs. grey wasn't a fabulous idea.

BTHO LSU!!


Sunday Stealing: Would You Rather Meme

1. Would you rather be stuck on an island alone or with someone who talks incessantly?
someone who talks incessantly

2. Would you rather be too hot or too cold? 
too cold

3. Would you rather have a cook or a maid?
cook!

4. Would you rather be the youngest or the oldest sibling? 
oldest

5. Would you rather get rich through hard work or through winning the lottery? 
hard work

6. Would you rather have a 10-hour dinner with a headstrong politician from an opposing party, or attend a 10-hour concert for a music group you detest? 
Oh man. Uhhh... I'll take politician from an opposing party. 

7. Would you rather be an Olympic gold medalist or a Nobel Peace Prize winner? 
Nobel Peace Prize

8. Would you rather have a desk job or an outdoor job? 
desk job

9. Would you rather live at the top of a tall NYC apartment building or at the top of a mountain? 
top of a mountain

10. Would you rather have Rambo or The Terminator on your side?
The Terminator

11. Would you rather be proposed to in private or in front of family and friends?
in private

12. Would you rather have to sew all your clothes or grow your own food? 
grow my own food

13. Would you rather hear the good news or the bad news first? 
bad news

14. Would you rather be your own boss or work for someone else?
work for someone else

15. Would you rather have nosy neighbors or noisy neighbors? 
nosy neighbors

16. Would you rather be on a survival reality show or dating game show?
dating game

17. Would you rather be too busy or be bored?
too busy

18. Would you rather watch the big game at home or live at the stadium?
live

19. Would you rather spend the day with your favorite athlete or you favorite movie star?
movie star

20. Would you rather live where it is constantly winter or where it is constantly summer?
summer

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Feelin' Like a Criminal

Fiona Apple's "Criminal" is one of the best songs ever recorded, with some damn cool lyrics...

I've been a bad, bad girl
I've been careless
With a delicate man
And it's a sad, sad world
When a girl will break a boy
Just because she can...

Ohhhhhhhh help me 
but don't tell me to deny it
I've done wrong 
and I've got to suffer for my sins okay, I got a little carried away there, but yeah.


My favorite item on social media this week:

Ha! SO true. All the sociopolitical arguing on social media is driving me to drink lately.

I was hanging out with our office manager in the reception area yesterday afternoon, watching our office building neighbors bring in loads of beer and liquor. Those guys are always bringing in alcohol.

I wonder if they're hiring.


Saturday 9: Perfect Storm (2014)
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) This song is about "the thrill of a lifetime" kind of love. Do you believe we each get one great love? Or do you think it's possible to fall in love more than once?
Of course people can fall in love several times. One "great love" is the goal and probably the case for most. People who lose a spouse do seem to be able to find a new love, if they're open to it. So for some, I think there can be more than one great love.

2) Brad Paisley endured his own "perfect storm" in 2010, when he lost his guitars in the massive flood that hit Nashville. Tell us about a time when you had to clean up after Mother Nature. 
The flood from Tropical Storm Claudette in Houston in 1979. It took about a year to get the house back to normal, after drying out the walls, new flooring, furniture, etc.

3) He is married to actress Kimberly Williams, who played Steve Martin's daughter in the Father of the Bride movies. He has admitted he was a little in love with her before he met because he'd seen her on screen. Do you have a crush on anyone right now? 
Bradley Cooper is probably my current celeb crush.

4) He's a passionate Cleveland Browns fan. Are you following the NFL this season?
Nope. But I do happen to be aware that Manziel is the starting QB for the Browns for the remainder of the season.

5) Brad has developed his own line of western wear for Boot Barn, including some pricey items. (A "Perfect Storm" felt hat goes for $230.) What's the most expensive item you've added to your wardrobe recently?
$60 pants. Wooo, baby!

6) "Paisley" is also a term for a popular print. Are you wearing a print or solid right now?
I am wearing solid maroon. GIG EM!

7) Crazy Sam is not a big country fan, but she can sing along with this song because it played so very often at a bar she frequents. What's the last song you sang?
 "Criminal" in the car.

8) Though Brad Paisley has recorded songs about drinking, he never touches alcohol. His favorite beverage is Yoohoo, a chocolate beverage bottled by the Dr. Pepper/Snapple Company. What's the last beverage you drank directly from the bottle?
Sprite Zero on the way to Dallas with Beth and Leslie.

9) Random question from a Sat9er: What's your favorite handmade item?
any kind of art

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Back from Big D

I've just returned from the fourth meeting for one of my studies- this time in Dallas, at the Grand Hyatt DFW, which is one of my all-time favorite hotels. It is beautiful inside, with a room view (should you request it) over the runway. Very cool. So fun to see all our worldwide team members again, and to meet some great new people.

It was too cold for me at the rooftop saline pool, but not for one of our coordinators from Minnesota. Hey, at least it's heated.

We finally saw The Martian last weekend. It was SO good! One of my favorite moments was when Rich called his idea "Project Elrond." With SEAN BEAN sitting right there as part of the NASA team.

Bahaha! A lil' somethin' for the LOTR fans.

There were a lot of great lines in the movie. I was on the edge of my seat waiting to see what would happen next, through the whole thing. Go see it!


Saturday 9: The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia (1972)
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) The lyrics tell us about a young man who stopped at a bar named Webb's before heading home. What's the last restaurant or bar you visited? What did you order? 
Ooh.  The Grand Met at the Grand Hyatt DFW. I had the best lunch- the steak salad. O. M. G.
Fork tender steak and perfectly dressed arugula.

2) In this video, Vicki Lawrence is obviously lip synching. If you had to participate in a competition, would you do better at karaoke or lip synching? And what song would you choose to perform?
I think I would sing karaoke- Kelly Clarkson "The Trouble with Love Is"



3) Back when this song was popular, so was the Rubik's Cube. Can you solve that 3-D puzzle?
Back then, I learned how to solve it by buying a guidebook at the bookstore (those were the days, eh?), so I could solve it pretty quickly. Not today though.

4) Vicki Lawrence is a hyphenate, meaning she's a comedienne-actress-singer. Using hyphens, describe yourself.
data manager-database administrator-all around "fire-putter-outer"

5) Back in the early 1970s, songwriter Bobby Russell first offered this song to Cher, who refused it. Give us the name of a song Cher did record.
"Gypsies, Tramps and Thieves"

6) Vicki Lawrence won her first big break playing Carol Burnett's kid sister because of her resemblance to the star. Have you ever been told you look like a celebrity?

Ellie Kemper. There she is with my hairstyle. I would love to have that color! Maybe I'll try it someday.

7) She also starred on Mama's Family in the role of matriarch of an argumentative Southern clan. As we head into the holiday season, do your plans involve a lot of family time?
This year it's Thanksgiving and Christmas with my in-laws. Usually it's just Christmas.

8) After The Carol Burnett Show and Mama's Family, Vicki became a staple on daytime TV. She hosted Win, Lose or Draw and was a contestant on The Match Game and $25,000 Pyramid. Do you watch much daytime TV?
On Wednesdays, I keep the tv on for noise and the occasional distraction. I DVR The Chew every day and watch when I get home from work. Best daytime show!

9) Random question provided by a Sat 9er: Bugs/insects. Do you like 'em or fear 'em? Tell us something/anything you know about them.
I fear any insect that bites or stings. Otherwise, I like them just fine. I have learned that scorpion stings are not typically deadly or even emergency-room-worthy. (BUT I still don't want to be stung by one. Almost grabbed one on the garage door handle recently.)

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Happy Weekend!

I haven't gone grocery shopping on a Friday night in years, but it was surprisingly vacant at 8pm on Friday, to the point where I wondered of there was something going on I wasn't aware of. (Nope, only FRIDAY NIGHT. Why are you here.)

Third loss of the season last night at Kyle Field. For all that is good and holy, can someone please fire Spavital?


Sunday Stealing: Big Bad Meme

1. Is there anyone else in the room with you? What are they doing?
No one else gets up this early in my house.

2. Do you show your teeth when you smile, or do you prefer smiling with your lips closed?
My teeth show.

3. Would you rather be told the truth, even if it isn’t what you want to hear? 
If I'm asking the question, I deserve a straight answer. We all have the right to navigate our lives knowing the truth.

4. What is something that you plan to buy, as soon as you’ve saved up the money for it?
A new kitchen.

5. Do you play Sudoku? 
Now and then. I'm on more of a Spider Solitaire kick.

6. Have you ever had a migraine? 
I get migraines about 2-3 times a year. I take Excedrine Migraine and get on with things. Not too big a deal for me.

7. What was the last book you read for pleasure?
Why is this question on every other meme? I can't even remember. Probably Bethenny Frankel's book, Skinnydipping.

8. What was the last item of clothing you purchased for yourself?
a red, Christmas-y top

9. Your first serious relationship, do you still talk to him/her? 
I haven't spoken to John in person since 1989, although he last contacted me online when my dad died a few years ago, to give his condolences. Jeff and I were going to have lunch with him about ten years ago, but he blew through town without showing up and then texted when he was home to say he couldn't make it. (Par for that course.)

10. Who is the last person you texted? 
Jennifer

11. How close is your family?
We're not super-close. Not that we're estranged or anything. Mom's side of the family are just spread out throughout the country (aunt in Denver, uncles in Gulf Shores and Chicago). My dad's family are all in Germany. When I was growing up, we were very close to my grandparents and aunt/uncles in College Station. We saw them every couple of months or so until Grandma passed away and the kids left Texas.

12. Is there anything too serious to be joked about? 
Nope. There is a time and place for jokes, but there will eventually be a time and place for everyone to laugh about even the most tragic of circumstances. Some of the best jokes Laura and I have are about the most tragic things. (I love you, L, but do you have to wake me up EVERY TIME I stop breathing from too much morphine? I bet that nurse never did get fired.)

13. Do you like to understand and have good knowledge of things? 
Yep.

14. What is worse? Back pain or shoulder pain? 
Back pain is more difficult to relieve, I think, because everything in your body connects to it. I've had shoulder pain that made me want to put my head through a wall though, so it's all bad.

15. Have you ever almost fallen off of something high off the ground?
No.

16. What’s one fruit you love in drinks?
cranberry

17. What is something simple that you’re afraid of?
I need to phone a friend on this one, because I have no idea what this means. Scorpions are pretty simple. Yes?

18. Has this weekend been good? 
Other than the Aggie game, yes.

19. How much time do you take to get ready in the morning?
About 45 minutes. I take my showers at night, to save some time in the morning. 

20. Last movie you watched in theaters and with whom? 
I think it was Trainwreck with Jeff.

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Checkin' In

Watching Timberlake nail this country gig on the CMAs with his effortless and amazing supertalent. Wow!

But really, I'm just on here to share this exercise equipment with you all--
Elvie

It fits in a drawer, unlike your treadmill. And you can take it with you to work.


The Alphabet Thing Meme

A: Accent -- very light Texas, y'all
B: Breakfast -- protein shake
C: Chore you hate -- ironing
D: Dad's name -- Werner
E: Essential everyday item -- Burt's Bees
F: Flavor ice cream -- mint chocolate chip
G: Gold or silver -- silver
H: Hometown -- Houston
I: Insomnia -- I usually have it early morning when I wake up around 4
J: Job title -- Clinical Data Manager
K: Kids -- 1 beautiful daughter
M: Mother's birthplace -- Antigo, WI
N: Number of significant others -- 3
O: Overnight hospital stays -- too many
P: Phobia -- I've become a bit claustrophobic in the past few years
Q: Quick at -- learning new things
R: Religious affiliation -- Christian, but not "religious"
S: Siblings -- 1 half-brother I have yet to meet in person
T: Time you wake up -- 4 and then 6
U: Unnatural hair colors -- none
V: Vegetable you refuse to eat -- squash
W: Worst habit -- leaving my shoes everywhere
X: X-rays -- plenty
Y: Yummy -- dinner last night, I made steak with rosemary bacon corn relish
Z: Zodiac sign -- Aries

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Day After Halloween Halloween Meme

So I looked up Clone-A-Willy on Amazon, to show someone because it was mentioned on TMZ this week, and now it's on my "recently viewed" list. This is how I discovered there is an "edit your recently viewed list" link on Amazon.

You're welcome.


Sunday Stealing: Halloween Meme

Are you scared of bats? 
Only if they are flying very close to me.

When you were a kid, did you go out on Mischief Night? (Mischief Night is an informal holiday on which children and teens engage in pranks and minor vandalism. While its name and date vary from place to place, it is most commonly held near the end of October to coincide with the night before Halloween)
I did not. I wasn't much of a mischievous teen.

What is your favorite trick-or-treat candy? 
Snickers

Have you ever seen a ghost? 
Just the one time- a runner in my living room.

The most memorable costume you ever wore? 
Flasher, in high school. So fun!

Do you dress up on Halloween? 
I usually dress up for the work party, but not this year.

Any cooking or baking you do for Halloween? 
Nope

Have you ever been to The Haunted Mansion at Disneyland or Disneyworld? 
Yes- at Disney World.

Any element of the season you don’t like? 
Selfish, oversensitive people who have made schools have "Fall" parties instead of Halloween parties. Get over yourselves.

What is your favorite scary movie? 
The Exorcist

Do you cook the pumpkin seeds from your carved jack-o-lanterns? 
I tried once, but it didn't turn out well.

Are you intrigued with vampires? 
Nope.

What is your favorite written work of horror fiction? 
The Shining

What is your favorite work of science fiction/fantasy? 
Lord of the Rings

Who is your favorite monster?
Alien

What horror movie gives you the most chills? 
The Grudge. That movie is creepy, yo.

What character from any horror film would you most like to play? 
Anyone who dies a horrible death in the Saw movies. Awesome!

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