I'm Back!!! and one of those fun questionairre thingys... ;-)

Hey everyone!
I guess I should say it the way most bloggers say it ("No, I'm not dead!") but that's too typical.  I'm not going to say "I've been busy" either because that's not really it either.  Well, I have been out of town, and last week I wasn't staying at a place with internet so I truly wasn't able to post then.... but besides that, it's not necessarily busyness but pre-occupied-ness that's been keeping me away from blogger.  There's a difference.  But enough of that.

Lynette Kraft is hosting a blog party on her blog.  I'm not exactly joining the blog party because I'm not really interested in the giveaway, but you know me; I can hardly resist questionairres. ;-)  Besides, you all need a post that says more than "Sorry I haven't been posting and this is why".  So here's the questionairre with my answers, just for fun. :-D

How would people describe your personality? (If they could only use ONE word.) Are they right?

Sweet (lots of people say that).  I'm not sure whether they're right or not.  I guess I am sweet when I'm around people, but not all the time.  (Amanda?  Bethany?  any thoughts?) :-P  But who knows, some people may think I'm snobby because I'm very quiet around people at first, and tend to be distant when something weighing heavily on my mind.  How would you describe my personality? :-P

What celebrity/celebrities would create a “Star-Struck” feeling if you saw them in real life?

 Ioan Gruffudd!!!  

(first one that came to mind.... ;-) ) (there are others too)

Who is your favorite blogger? Why?

I decline to answer this question, because I don't need to pick a favorite out of all the wonderful bloggers I know. :-)

What is your comfort food/drink?

Coffee... :-D

Be brave – tell us something very random and weird about yourself.

When I was little (five or six, maybe?) I had the most terrible habit of chewing on pencils and rulers.  Every once in a while, I find a pencil or a wooden ruler with teeth marks all over it, and I know who had a hold of that... ;-)

Do you have a strong desire to do something you’ve never done? What is it?

Two strong desires:  1) To publish one of my novels.  2) To travel to India (and possibly live there, with the purpose of sharing Christ with the Indian people...probably not as a traditional missionary though.)

Movies: Action, Drama, Romantic Comedy, Documentary, Comedy? What are your favorite genres?

Family films, if that's a genre... Disney animated films... Period dramas... action as long as it's not too graphic and makes allowances for girl viewers...

Books: Fiction, Non-Fiction, Romance, Biographies, True Stories, Self-Help, Devotional/Study? What are your favorite types of reading material?

Fiction, biographies, and devotional.

Music: Funk, Rock, Country, Jazz, Classical, Film Score, Blues, Classic Rock, Crooner, Alternative, Heavy Metal, Techno? What are your favorite types?

I love Celtic, film scores, and ... whatever that kind of music is that doesn't exactly have a name.  The Steve Pettit Evangelistic Team style music... a mix between hymns and...pop?  Yeah...whatever that is.  I also light Contemporary Christian (the more conservative, toned-down branch ;-) ) .  Oh, and Broadway and Disney songs. :-D

If you inherited a million dollars, what is the first thing you would do with your money?

Go to either England to study for my book, or India for a survey trip. ;-)  I think....maybe.

Name one weakness of yours (confession is good for the soul).
Disney...(Disney movies, Disney songs, Disney store...)  and American Girl... you didn't know that, did you ( :-P )  Oh, and buying things on a whim (like the 5 1/2 yards of gorgeous purple polyester shantung for my Amy Dorrit dress, the other day... ;-) ) (I only do that when I have money though. ;-) )


If you could live anywhere at all (and take all your loved ones with you), where would you go?
England or India

Strange Talent? Can you juggle basketballs, put your legs behind your head or perform some other strange feat?
Um... not that I can think of.  I can make really crazy faces though...like, really crazy... is that a talent?  More like a random fact....

What’s something you consider yourself to be good at? (Don’t worry, it’s not bragging, it’s acknowledging a God given gift).
Well, I could say I'm good at writing, but a writer should never say something like that... not because it's bragging, but because it could keep them from becoming a better writer than they already are. :-)  And sewing...


What is one of your favorite things to catch a whiff of? 
<3 apple blossoms <3


When you leave a social gathering, do you wish: You would have talked more or You would have talked less? 
I usually wish I'd talked less, even though I don't talk much in social gatherings anyway.

If money wasn’t a factor, what stores would you shop in?
The American Girl place.  The Disney store.  Kohls.  J C Penneys.  Definitely. ;-) 

What is your greatest fear or strange phobia?
Fire is, without question, my greatest fear.  Always has been, probably always will be.  I'm terrified of the woodstove, the furnace, bonfires, lightning, anything associated with fire, except those who can stop it.  



What is your greatest accomplishment?
I don't know.... I don't really feel like I have accomplished to much as yet... unless finishing a novel is considered a great accomplishment, though I've done it a couple times... maybe writing a 50,000 word novel in one month?

What are your favorite animals?
 Cats:  domestic, tigers, lions, snow leopards, etc.... I also love horses, long-haired dogs, and elephants. :-D



Are you a hopeless romantic?
Get ready for a complex answer. If, by "hopeless romantic", you mean always living in a dream world, then yes.  But I don't know...  I can't stand mush and sap, but I look a sweet, sincere, meaningful romance.  I don't mind if the couple doesn't kiss at the end of the movie.  I don't usually think too much of marrying, unless I like someone in particular (which is very hard to get me to do), or unless I'm thinking of practical things, like "They say single ladies tend to get kind of goofy when they get older, and I already am,  so if I don't get married, I'll become known as the Crazy Doll Lady when I'm old..."  (Okay, so that's not the only reason I would get married.  Like any girl, I long for someone to build my life alongside of and raise a family with and serve God together with and love with all my heart and be loved by... but getting married isn't the top priority of my life.)  But when I do think of getting married, I like to think it will be like in a storybook.  "I am determined that nothing but the very deepest love will induce me into matrimony"... :-P And like I said, I tend to live in a dream world and see things with rose-colored glasses.  So what do you think?  Am I a hopeless romantic or a hopeless non-romantic?


What movie or book character can you most relate to?
It varies according to what's happening in life at the moment.  Lately I've felt quite a bit like Molly Gibson from Wives and Daughters; lots of people confiding in me and relying on me, and me being in positions  in which I could get in trouble either way, and needing to be there for people and listen even if I don't agree with them about everything.  Other characters I can identify with in one way or another are Jo March, Bella Wilfer, Ariel (The Little Mermaid), Violet Parr, Eustace Scrubb, and Rapunzel... in one way or another. :-)

I've Been Tagged!

I've been tagged by Michelle at "Pilgrim's Welcomed Home". Thank you, Michelle!  In this tag, I am to answer the questions she asked, tag eight people, and then ask eight questions of my own, which the people I tag will answer if they decide to do the tag. :-) 
This has been a very lovely, but challenging (in a good way) tag!  Michelle asked some very thought-provoking questions!  Here are my answers:



1. I have a painting in my home that immediately gets my heart to singing Sheep May Safely Graze. Is there a photo or a painting or even an object that makes you think of a song to sing? If not a song, is there a Bible verse that comes to mind?
Well actually, this picture by John Brown reminds me of that very song you mentioned.

Sheep Grazing Under Apple Blossoms

Isn't it so beautiful and peaceful?  Sheep by still waters and green pastures, a picture of God's loving care for us.  With God as our shepherd, we need never fear!
This one following makes me think of the song "Sometimes a Light Surprises".

2. If you could sit across a table with someone living today, who would it be and what one question would you ask them? Please, I beg you, no politicians.
Another hard one.  Most of the people that I don't know already whom I loved to sit across the table from and talk with are no longer living. :-(  But, I suppose it does not have to be a famous person... I would love to sit across the table from my penpal whom I've never met in person, Amanda C., and ask her... I'm not sure what, but I know we would have so much to talk about.  I think it would also be wonderful to sit across the table from someone who knew Eric Liddell or Amy Carmichael (my heroes :-) ).  I would ask them what it was like to know them, what stands out most to them in their memory, and how they impacted their lives.

3. We are studying the history of classical music at our home. If you could choose one piece of classical music, what selection would you choose, who is the composer, and why does this song have meaning to you?
I love Chopin's Raindrop Prelude; it's so beautiful and expressive.  The music sounds like it's raining and thundering.  It is my favorite piece to play on the piano.

4. What one thing in all of creation that you can see with your eyes, grips your heart and makes you stand in awe of His majesty? Why?
The ocean/lake/any large body of water, especially if the sun is setting into it.  There is something about the crashing waves, the breeze coming over the water, and the brilliant colors that seem to just sing of the majesty and creativity and power of God.  

5. Is there any one thing you are fanatical about? How do you know (has somebody told you!)?

This was a hard one, probably because I was thinking to literally.  I think I may be fanatical about American Girl-- most girls my age have given up on dolls, but I still love AG dolls and still talk to mine and play with their hair and keep up on the latest AG news.  I may also be described as "fanatical" about writing; it takes up at least an hour of every day except Sunday, and along with that comes much daydreaming about my book, falling in love with my characters, and seeing random people at the store and coming up with stories for them in my mind. :-)

6. If you could choose a season, which one is your favorite and why? Describe what it looks like outside your window today.
Definitely spring... because that is when life conquers the death of winter, new things begin to grow, and all Creation looks so happy.
Outside my window are brilliant orange and yellow leaves in the trees and on the ground, blue skies with patches of fluffy white cloud here and there, wood is stacked up and ready for winter, and smoke from our stovepipe is dissipating into the chilly air.
(Okay, I worked on this post over a period of a couple days, and right before I am posting it, it is dark and chilly outside.  But when I was writing the answer above, it was afternoon. :-) )

7. What's your favorite "just got out of bed in the morning" drink and do you have a special place you go to enjoy it?
Coffee!!!  Definitely!!  I usually just have it in my room, on the floor with my back to my bed, though if it's not too hot, I like to have my coffee and quiet time down in the basement.  

Now I will tag eight people, but if you would rather not do the tag, don't feel bad declining.

Bethany at Day by Day 
Amanda at Amanda's Journals
Gabrielle at Joyful Daughter
Leah at The White Woods
Ana at Ana's Corner
Hanne-Col at A Rainbow of Thoughts
Emily H. in the Comments
Teddy in the Coments

Agh, hardly anyone who follows my blog has a blog, which is why I mentioned some friends answering in the Comments section or in any email.  I may even answer them myself. :-P  If anyone else wants to do this, consider yourself tagged. :-)

My questions for you:
1. What is one of your earliest memories of growing up?
2. How many books do you read at one time?  Do you read several books of the same genre at once, or do you include a variety of genres in your reading?
3. Have you ever been to a foreign country?  Which?  If you haven't, what country would you most like to go?
4. What is one lesson the Lord has been teaching you lately or reinforcing in you?  How has He been working in your life and making you more like Him?
5. What is your favorite movie costume, one you wouldn't mind having for yourself?  Or do you even notice movie costumes at all?  What is your favorite era for period dramas?
6. Give one Scripture reference that has been very special to you over the years, and describe why it means so much to you.
7. Would you rather live in the middle of town, in the suburbs, or in the country?  Why?  Which state would you like to live in most, if you could? 
8. Name one historical figure (missionary, politician, explorer, anyone) and one person you know who has impacted your life in an outstanding way.

Have fun!

Reading Tag :-)

Here's a fun tag I came across and thought I'd share. :-)

(1) Top 3 Authors:

• 1.GEORGE MACDONALD!!!
• 2. Jane Austen
• 3.Charles Dickens

(2) Top 3 male characters:

• Malcolm (The Fisherman's Lady and The Marquis' Secret by George MacDonald)

• Henry Tilney (Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen)

• Arthur Clennam (Little Dorrit by Charles Dickens)

(3) Top 3 female characters:

• Fanny Price (Mansfield Park by Jane Austen)
• Millie Keith (A Life of Faith series)
• Danielle DeBarbarac (Ever After; I know that's a book, not a movie, but still, she's a favorite female character...)
  

(4) Top 20 fictional books:

• Malcolm (George MacDonald)
• Northanger Abbey (Jane Austen)
• Mansfield Park (Jane Austen)
• What's Mine's Mine (George MacDonald)
• For One Moment (Christmas Carol Kauffman)
• Christy (Catherine Marshall)
• North and South (Elizabeth Gaskell)
• The Curate's Awakening (George MacDonald)
• Bleak House (Charles Dickens)
• Our Mutual Friend (Charles Dickens)
• Treasure Island (Robert Louis Stevenson)
• Little Women (Louisa Mae Alcott)
• Little House series (Laura Ingalls Wilder)
• Calico Captive (Elizabeth George Speare)
• A Life of Faith: Millie Keith series
• Prisoners of the Sea (Florence M. Kingsley)
• Four Girls at Chautauqua (Isabella Alden)
• Emma (Jane Austen)
• Facets of Fantasy (a collection of short novels by Sarah Scheele)

(5) Top 3 books most recently read:

• What's Mine's Mine/The Highlander's Last Song (George MacDonald)
• Eric Liddell: Pure Gold (David McCasland)
• Halogen Crossing (Sarah Scheele)

(6) Worst 3 books ever read:

• THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK!!! (I couldn't even make it through it!!)
• The Scottish Chiefs (Jane Porter) (the overly flowery language and massacres every other chapter were a little too much for me :-) )
• The Rivers of Judah series (probably the worst-written series of books I have ever read!!)

(7) Top 5 scenes from any books:

Oh my-- that's not fair! Top FIVE scenes? How am I supposed to decide??

• The riot scene in North and South :-D :-D :-D
• The final confrontation between Malcolm, Florimel, and Lord Liftore in Malcolm/The Marquis' Secret
• When Henri Baillot escapes from the castle in Prisoners of the Sea-- hilarious and exciting at the same time! :-)
• Dark Island... This scene has "come back to me" many a time when I've found myself on my own "Dark Island, and it is so beautiful and comforting and encouraging. :) "Courage, dear heart!" <3>
• FAVORITEST: In Our Mutual Friend, the scene in which Mr. Boffin fires Rokesmith, and Bella comes to the point of realizing that she loves Rokesmith; that she was a foolish, worldly girl; and that money means nothing in light of the truly important things in life. Reading/watching her come to the decision to leave the Boffins and the wealth she could have there to live a life of poverty with her family, and then with her love, brings tears to my eyes! I love that scene. Oh, and of course, when Rokesmith appears: "My dear girl! My gallant, courageous and noble Bella. You are my love?" "Well I suppose I am if you think me worth taking." The sweetest thing ever!!! Love that scene. Love that story. :-D
  

(8) The book(s) that made me cry the most:

• Definitely Kathleen's Enduring Faith.... WAAAAHHH!!!! I was nearly sobbing towards the end of that. Though I was sobbing near the end of Bleak House too.

(9) The books that made me laugh the most:

• Hm....my goodness, I don't know. Possibly the Methuselah Chronicles. I don't read comedy too often.
  

(10) The books that made me feel good the most at the end:

Well, "feel good" isn't exactly a term I think in when I finished a book. How about the books that leave me feeling inspired? :-)

• The Curate's Awakening (George MacDonald)
• Mountain Rain (biography of J. O. Fraser)
• Green Leaf in Drought (Isobel Kuhn)
• Christy (Catherine Marshall)
• Eric Liddell: Pure Gold (David McCasland)

(11) Contemporary or Historical?

• HISTORICAL, DUH! (Hasn't this quiz been reading the titles I've been putting down? The only contemporary book I listed was in my "dislikes" section!!)

(12) Science fiction, Fantasy or Horror?

• fantasy (though I don't read much of it). Definitely not horror (I don't think I've ever read or watched anything of that genre, for which I am grateful), and I don't care much for Sci Fi except the mild kind that doesn't involve robots or aliens taking over the world :-P

(13) Hardback, Trade Paperback, or Mass Market Paperback?

• Nice paperback or hardback is fine.

(14) Barnes and Noble or amazon?

• I've never ordered from Amazon... and I have a Barnes and Noble gift certificate to use... so I'd have to say Barnes and Noble for right now

(15) Bookmark or Dog ear?

• Bookmark, definitely! I like to keep my books looking like new, if possible. :-)

(16) Alphabetize by Author, Alphabetize by title or no organization whatsoever?

• By author. Always. And size, if "author" doesn't apply. :-)

(17) Keep, Throw Away, or Sell?

• Keep!! Why would I buy a book to throw away or sell? Except I did throw away The Diary of Anne Frank...good riddance...

(18) Little Women or Anne of Green Gables?

• Little Women

(19) Short Story or Novel?

• Novel

(20) Stop Reading when tired or chapter breaks?

• Depends on the book. I like to finish at a chapter break, but if my attention span is particularly limited that particularly day, I might stop in the middle of a chapter.

(21) "It was a dark and stormy night" or "Once upon a time"?

• "It was a dark, and stormy night"... makes me think of Snoopy, actually ;-) Anyway, it's more adventurous feeling. Though "once upon a time" is nice too.

(22) buy or borrow?

• Buy, if possible
  

(23) Standalone or series?

• I think I prefer stand-alones best, though I do like some series. Trilogies are pretty cool. :-)

(24) Tidy Ending or Cliff Hanger?

• Tidy ending, of course. Unless there's a sequel.

I tag......

all my literary friends! :-)

Writing Tag

Got this tag from The Novel Pretender! This one is particularly fun. ;-)

Rules: Fill out the tag, and then add two of your own questions!

What do you write your stories on?
My computer, nowadays. I think my imagination works better when I'm writing on paper, but since I'm trying to get my novel ready for publication, and since publishers only accept type-written manuscripts, and since it's easier to backspace and erase on Microsoft Word, well, I'm using Microsoft Word. :-)


What is your favorite kind of character?
You know... I kind of like the tragic type of character. :-) Not sure if that's my favorite kind though.


When you're asked what your story is about, what is your usual reaction?
"Um, uh, yeah, well, uh... it's about... uh... pirates..." I always get embarrassed saying it's about pirates, and then don't know how to give a plot synopsis. :-S

What is your biggest writing pet peeve?
"Show, don't tell; show, don't tell; show, don't tell..." I am convinced that that is the most unneedfully-over-emphasized rule in the rulebook. Ever read any of the great classics? "Pride and Prejudice"? "A Tale of Two Cities"? "North and South"? "Little Women"? All have some (or a lot) of telling in them, and they have lasted. I definitely agree that we show show more than tell, we should show what our characters are like, not just tell, and so on, but telling can't complete be eliminated... sometimes it's the best way to get a point across. And I really don't think the readers care that much. *thump* That was me jumping off of my soapbox.

What is the biggest turn-off for you when reading a book?
Mockery of God, and too many beats-- and short, choppy, incorrect-English sentences. ;-)

Your favorite era in history?
Oh dear, I don't know. Depends on whether you are talking about fashion or events or what. My favorite used to be mid-1800s, prairie. It isn't so much anymore. The Reformation is interesting, the English Civil War era, and I also like the 1930s-40s (for history/events).

How many words on average do you punch out in one sitting?
I try for at least 500. Sometimes more, sometimes less.

Are you a fast typist?
Yes, if I already know what I'm writing. More often it comes in spurts as I try to decide how to word something next. If I'm copying something from paper to screen, I can type very fast.

What do you do for inspiration?
Take a walk, ride in the car and look out the window, listen to soundtrack music, read previous manuscripts, or read a favorite author with a good style.


The truest writing quote you've ever heard:
"The first writer I watched at work was my stepfather, E. B. White. Each Tuesday morning, he would close his study door and sit down to write the "Notes and Comments" page for The New Yorker. The task was familiar to him-- he was required to file a few hundred words of editorial or personal commentary on some topic in or out of the new that week-- but the sounds of his typewriter from his room came in hesitant bursts, with long silences in between. Hours went by. Summoned at last for lunch, he was silent and preoccupied, and soon excused himself to get back to the job. When the copy went off at last, in the afternoon RFD pouch-- we were in Maine, a day's mail away from New York-- he rarely seemed satisfied. "It isn't good enough," he said sometimes. "I wish it were better."
~Roger Angell, in the foreword to The Elements of Style, by William Strunk Jr. and E. B. White
I said that's the "truest one" because that's just how I am. ;-)

What's your favorite genre to write?
Adventure. Often historical adventure. I can't write daily life stories, and I can write real mystery.

Favorite font to write with?
Times New Roman


New questions:

Do you find listening to instrumental music helpful when you write?
Definitely!! I love my soundtracks. :-)

How many books are you writing right now?
Mainly just MD. I am in the middle of some other ones, but they are currently "on the back burner". Working on just one at a time helps me stay focused. :-)

Movie Quote Game

Here are the rules:

1. Pick 20 of your favorite movies.

2. Go to IMDB.com and find a quote from each movie.

3. Post them for everyone to guess.

4. Strike it out when someone guesses correctly, and put who guessed it and the movie.

5. NO cheating.


1.  "Ah yes, you're just like me!  Never less alone than when alone, as... one of our great authors has so justly expressed it!"   Wives and Daughters, guessed by Hanne-Col


2. Character #1: "No one of our age has ever taken power."
Character #2: "Which is why we're too young to realize certain things are impossible. Which is why we will do them anyway." Amazing Grace, guessed by Teddy and Hanne-Col

3.  "Go, confront the problem.  Fight!  Win!  And call me when you get back, darling,  I enjoy our visits." The Incredibles, guessed by Mama


4. Character #1: "Oh dear!"
Character #2: "What?"
Character #1: "What--oh-- oh!  Something about the deer we need for... the... venison stew!"  Emma, guessed by Teddy

5. Character #1: "I bet you've got a lot of mice in here."
Character #2: "Sir, a mouse is no more permitted in here than a man without a car!" That Darn Cat, guessed by Teddy

6. "I want something new!  I want something fresh!  I want something real!  Don't sugercoat your stories, boys. This is the Cincinnati register, a beacon of cold, clear light in a sea of sentimental flop!" Kit Kittredge: An American Girl, guessed by Teddy

7. "I tried to forget you.  I thought I had." Persuasion, guessed by Mama

8. "If you cannot think of anything appropriate to say you will please restrict your remarks to the weather." Sense and Sensibility, guessed by Lilly

9. Character #1: "What if them ruffians come thieving around here with nobody on the farm but four defenseless women!"
Character #2: "I shudder to think of it!" Friendly Persuasion, guessed by Marie

10. "We gotta do something about the car. The only thing it does faithfully for us is break down." Facing the Giants, guessed by Teddy

11.  "A basket?  What would we want with a basket?  We've little enough to put in it." North and South, guessed by Teddy and Hanne-Col

12. "Three days he has been in the neighborhood and still he shuns us!  I say it is all your father's fault!  He would not do his duty and call-- so you shall all die old maids!" Pride and Prejudice, guessed by Marie, Teddy, and Hanne-Col

13. "You look like two marshmallows trying to get out of a hotwheel!" Flywheel, guessed by Marie

14. "I may not be a gentleman, but I am a man."

15. "All right--I'm not screaming. We will talk about this calmly and rationally. (yelling) You can't marry her; you'll ruin everything!" Parent Trap, guessed by Lilly

16. "Happy when she gets it, sad when she reads it." Chrissa Stands Strong, guessed by Bethany

17. Character #1: This isn't gonna be a highway interchange. This is the nothin'est nothin' I ever saw.
Character #2:  Maybe there's oil under here. Maybe we're floating on a gusher and don't even know it.
Character #1: There's no oil under here! What we are floating on is the parking lot repaving fund, the parish renovation fund, the organ fund... What the Deaf Man Heard, guessed by Hannah

18. Character #1: Now, let me see... There's the large carpet in the main hall- Clean it! And the windows upstairs and down- Wash them! Oh yes, and the tapestries and the draperies...
Character #2: [interrupting] But I just finished...
Character #1: [interrupting] Do them again! And don't forget the garden. Then scrub the terrace, sweep the halls and the stairs, clean the chimneys. And of course there's the mending and the sewing and the laundry... Oh, yes, and one more thing. See that [the cat] gets his bath." Cinderella, guessed by Teddy

19. "Reason?  Reason only means what someone else has got to say!  I can't talk reason when I have a mind to-- and I have a mind to now!" Cranford, guessed by Mama

20. "You must never, never clear your throat!" Rigoletto, guessed by Lilly

TAG

I think I've gotten this from several people, but I've lost track....


Rules: First, if you have been tagged, you must write your answers in your own LJ and replace any questions that you dislike with a new question.

Second, tag eight people. Don't refuse to do this! Do not tag the person who tagged you.

What song are you currently listening to a lot?

I haven't been listening to much this week, though the CD I've been listening to most is "Awaken the Dawn" by the Gettys :-D :-D :-D

What books are you currently reading?

LOL! What books am I reading!?!?!? Well, let's see: The Bible, Pure Gold, Our Mutual Friend, Attitudes of a Transformed Heart, The Plot Thickens, North and South...and more. :-D Mainly The Bible and Our Mutual Friend though.

What did you do today that was really fun?

Um... did I do anything really fun today? Um... I dressed Kirsten in her Meet dress and did her hair in loops which I haven't done for a long time... I know it's silly but I do get a kick out of doing that... and I also worked (am working on, or should be working on) MD!

Do you sing a lot?

Yes. :-)

Sweet or Salty?

Both, but I'd rather salty than sweet.


What is your current obsession/addiction?

Keith and Kristyn Getty, American Girl dolls :-D

What books have you read at least 3 times?

The first four Millie Keith books (count that as one....), the Little House series except Farmer Boy (count those as another one), The Bible

What site do you always visit when you are online?

Gmail, Facebook, Blogger, and the forums that I'm on

What was the last thing you bought?

Fabric (to be specific, yellow linen-look fabric from JoAnns, for a new dress, and 90-inch wide muslin for mock-ups and a petticoat)

List 6 things you love about summer
1. No school, 2. No snow, 3. Friends visiting, 4. Fresh Garden Salsa, 5. summery dresses, 6. swimming.

Favorite earliest memory?
Favorite earliest memory? I can't remember which one of my memories is my earliest memory. I think Daddy singing "The Lord Bless You and Keep You" is one of the earliest, and Beth being born and us coloring on blank newspaper paper at the hospital...

What do you do to change your mood?
Usually I have to sleep myself out of it. :-) Or write, or hang out with my si'ters and mamma. :-)

What was the last thing you ate?
The last bite I had was orange. :-)

Do you want to learn another language?
Maybe. I've done 2 1/2 years of Spanish and can't remember much of it at all so if I did learn another language, I'd like to be some place where I could apply it. So possibly Russian or Hindi, though I wouldn't mind learning Italian either. Or Canadian French (can you believe I said that? ;-) But Canadian is not the same as French... ;-) ) (BTW, folks, I joke, but don't really have anything against the French. Just against Dickens' evil French characters. :-) )

Five things you can't live without:

1. Jesus Christ
2. My family
3. My writing
4. springtime
5. I could say my computer, but I've been over a week without it now so I can't say that, so I'll say A computer. :-)

Find the closest book currently sitting near you, and flip to page 54. What is the 1st sentence of the 2nd paragraph?

"Happy too the children so trained in habits of obedience to their earthly parents that they learn almost instinctively to obey and honour God." Hey, that's good! That's from Hudson Taylor: The Growth of a Soul" by Dr. and Mrs. Howard Taylor

What are you looking forward to?

Visiting the Hadleys next month (Lord willing, if it works out) :-D



Now, WHY am I FORCED to tag eight people? I hate that. Okay I tag,
1. Whoever Wants
2. To Do
3. This Tag
4. But Not
5. Any One
6. Who Does Not
7. Wish
8. To Do It

:-D How's that! I tagged eight! Wahahahahaha!!!! TTFN, I'm back to the harbor (that is the setting of the part I'm at in MD. ;-) )

Tag

 I got this on Jason's blog.

What's Your FavoriteColor? green or purple... but my favorite color combo is green and pink, followed by blue and yellow :-D
Candy? I'm not much of a candy person, but I like M'n'Ms!! :-D
Main dish? hm.... Chicken Divan, stromboli, spaghetti.... I dunno!!
Dessert? ice cream :-)
Drink? coffee, chai tea, real lemonade (not the powdered stuff)
Veggie? mm.... carrots?

Do You
Go to Starbucks Coffee Shop? Y-EAH!!!!  Of course I do!  But I don't usually get one, because it's usually Mommy and Amanda who get one, and then it's usually a plain coffee, which Starbucks plain coffee always gives me problems-- from the jitters to spilling it all over me! But I love flavored drinks from there. :-)
Go to the mall a lot? No, I don't like the mall.
Talk on the phone everyday to someone who is not family? No, I don't talk on the phone much at all. :-)
Read your Bible everyday? Yes.
Do lots of reading? Not as much as I should.  Sometimes I can go a couple days without READING-reading anything but my Bible.  Internet's fault. :-D
See your grandparents everyday? No, maybe once a week or once every two weeks I see my dad's parents.
Bake a lot? Almost never.
Clean your room everyday? Haha... you come in here and you tell me!! :-P  NO!
Have to say your sorry to someone everyday? I probably should... :-S

A Certain Thing You Dislike Of Each CategoryVeggie? turnips ("I hate turnips!") ;-)
Color? 70's orangey-yellow.
Drink? most kinds of pop
Animal? monkeys :-)

Do You Have A
Pet? Ohhhhh yeah!!!! :-D
Gift card at the moment? Yes.  I still have to finish off my JoAnn's gift card but I am waiting for the right fabric to go on sale. :-D
Sewing machine? YES! :-D
Big mess under your bed? You bet! :-D
Pack of gum in your bag or purse? Yeppers!  Two packs!  One is berry-flavored, the other is spearmint.
Computer in your room? On my lap this very moment! :-)

Have You EverBeen on a plane? of course
Been out of state? I go out of state all the time! :-P
Been out of the country? Yeah... to Canada! :-S
Been in a eight-teen wheeler? I don't know if I have....
Been in a car accident? a minor, itsy-bitsy one
Read about a hundred and fifty page book in about an hour? Probably...

Your Favorite Place ToGo shopping? JoAnn's!
Eat out? Cracker Barrell, and I just discovered last night that Shake 'n' Steak is really good too! :-D
Go visit? Indiana!  and Georgia. :-D
Read a good book at? The swing outside

RandomWhat color is your room? pink and green
How old are you? eighteen :-D
What year were you born? you do the math :-)
Are you related to anyone important or famous? it is said that we are related to Robert E. Lee, who was related to Helen Keller, who was related to George Washington, so if we are indeed  related to Robert E. Lee, then, yeah! :-D ;-)  And our cousin Patrick O'Conner was pretty well known in London.
Have you ever met a vice president? No, but I've seen a president before :-)
Are you getting bored yet? no, I love these things.
What are you thinking? that this summery weather is lovely! Oh and Mommy is going to heat up our last rhubarb pie!!! :-D

Who You Will TagTHANK YOU FOR NOT SAYING HOW MANY PEOPLE I NEED TO TAG!!!!!   This is open to all who wish to do it. :-)

Which Dickens Heroine Are You?

I found this little meme at Wickfield Writings. It's fun and you are welcome to do it too. Simply erase where I put an "X" and put an "X" before each statement that applies to you.


DICKENSIAN HEROINE MEME

Agnes Wickfield:
[] You are very close to your parents
[X] You've been called a "good influence"
[X] You’ve had guys like you only because of your looks
[X] You can play a musical instrument
[] You usually keep a level head under pressure
[X] You are afraid to share your feelings sometimes
[] You've been around a drunk person
[X] You're waiting patiently for "Mr. Right"
TOTAL: 5

{No Picture Available}

Dora Spenlow:
[] Your family babies you
[X] You are known to be a dreamer
[] You have/had/want a pet dog
[] You've dated someone your parents disliked
[] You like to paint
[X] You like to sing
[] You had your first serious relationship at a young age
[] You can be a bit of a ditz
TOTAL: 2

Esther Summerson:
[X] You've been/want to be a teacher or tutor
[] You have a lot of responsibilities
[] Someone you hardly knew asked you out
[] You have/had an unusual relationship with your mother
[] You've been very sick (bad flu, pox, or other illness)
[] You do/did volunteer work
[] You don't have a lot of friends, just one or two best friends
[] You wait before judging others
TOTAL: 1


Amy "Little" Dorrit:
[] You've known someone in jail
[] You'd do anything for your family
[X] You are shy
[] You've traveled abroad
[] You can be a bit of a pushover
[X] You have/had a crush on someone much older than you
[X] You are very talented at your job
[X] You are a good storyteller
TOTAL: 4


Estella Havisham:
[] You have been in a stormy relationship
[] You are an only child
[] You've rejected someone
[] You are something of a feminist
[] You've deeply regretted a past action
[] You don’t have a lot of friends
[] You are very independent
[] Your parents try to control you
TOTAL: 1

Bella Wilfer:
[X] You often argue with your siblings
[almost X] You are never afraid to speak your mind
[X] You can be proud
[X] You wish you had more money than you do
[] You have a soft spot for your father
[X] You love to dress up
[X] You are compassionate
[X] You often go to the library/shop for books
TOTAL: 7


Lizzie Hexam:
[] You have been in a one-sided relationship
[X] You like to take care of others
[X] You have dark hair
[] You adore your sibling(s)
[] You have weird friends
[X] You like to sew
[] You've wished you could run away
[] You are something of an outcast
TOTAL: 3

So according to this quiz, I am most like Bella Wilfer. When I think about it, that sounds quite right, and is fine with me; I like Bella. Her story is so...neat! :-D I love the way she changes throughout the story, going from a bratty, self-centered, materialistic girl to a woman who loves selflessly, trusts, supports her husband, etc.

Feel free to do this if you want. :-)

Now I'm off to writing. TTFN! :-)

"Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain:
but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised."
(Proverbs 31:30)