Monday, February 20, 2012

*Life is in the journey!* ~ Question


Life's Inspirational Valiant Endeavors
~ Question ~


(I think I may just squeeze-this-under-the-wire to count for my Monday post!)

"Because, I said so!" 

Who didn't, occasionally, have this line handed to them by a parent when they were a kid? I know mine have heard it a time or two. Though, in my own defense, sometimes I really don't have any other reason than, "Because, I said so." It's that go-to answer that we give our kids when we're tired... of standing in line, sitting in traffic, sometimes of Life itself... and yes, even of answering more than our fair share of nonsensical questions (when all we really want to do is take off our bra and pour ourselves a glass of wine), but that's just me.

When my brother and I were kids, my mother almost always took the time to answer even our most inane questions. Questions that always began with, "Why?" She would pause mid-stride, determine the validity of our need for the more complicated answer, then offer a much longer explanation than we ever anticipated, essentially backing up her first answer. I suppose then, I learned from my mom, that it was okay to question her authority, respectfully, in search of a reasonable answer. My feelings did count, even if my answer was still a resounding, "No." 

It's in the process itself that we learn to ask the hard questions , of ourselves and others. Those questions that few are brave enough to even ask. And sometimes, just sometimes, it's the hardest questions that have the simplest answers.

Jessica Salyer, over at Just Following a Dream tagged me with a few questions. 
All in good fun, I see! 
If I understand *The Rules* correctly, I am to promptly run off in search of a worthy opponent... or two or eleven, and ask them a few of my own. 
Why not, I say! 
I'll play!

~ Question ~
1.      What is the nicest thing someone has ever done for you?
 
He loves me, in spite of my (occasional) troll-like habits. 
Does it get any nicer than that?
Every night, just as he's climbing into bed, I ask the million dollar question.
"Are you thirsty?"
To which he replies:
"I'm not thirsty (slight pause at the bed sheet). Why, are you thirsty?"
To which I reply:
"Yeah."
To which he replies again:
"Would you like for me to get you something from the kitchen?" 
(A myriad of glances are exchanged)
To which I reply again:
"Only if you're getting something for yourself. If not, then nothing."
His response:
"Do you want it or not?"
My response:
"If you don't mind."
Him:
"It's what I live for... 
to get you a drink,
 every night,
 just as I'm climbing into bed, 
after I've already dropped my pants to the floor.
Of course I don't mind."
Me:
"Thanks, babe."
Him:
"Yep." 

2.      Who is your favorite author?
 
Diana Gabaldon, hands down.

3.      If you could travel anywhere in the world, all expenses paid, where would it be?

Maria von Trapp’s mountain, 
in Maria von Trapp's dress, 
with Maria von Trapp's child-like abandon!

4.      What’s one addiction you have?
 
Sugar, of course.
5.      What is your favorite time of day?
 
Just as the sun dips behind the earth and the moon rises to say, "Good night!"

6.      Favorite food?
 
Sweet, succulent crab legs! Heaven.

7.      What inspires your writing the most?
 
I am fascinated, motivated and inspired by the inner workings of the human heart
 and our eternal, internal struggle between good and evil.

8.      What is one pet peeve you have?
 
Dishonesty, with ourselves and others.

9.      If you could have a super power what would it be?
 
If I were the Hero… 
To save people from themselves. 
If I were the Side-kick… 
To at least make them laugh.

10.   Do you have a pet?
 
Pull up a chair. 
One horse,
 two ponies,
 two dogs,
 four cats,
 a bunny,
 a rooster,
 so many hens, I sometimes lose count.
 Birds,
 turtles,
 rats,
 hamsters,
 hermit crabs
 and a gecko in a log tree… 
We knew and loved them well!

11.   If you had to change your name, and pick it, what would you change it to?
The question is moot. 
I'm kind of attached to the one I've got.

But, Just For Fun!
Mick, if you're the fool who just challenged me to a fight.
Little Gracie Mae, if you asked me to join you in a game of Hopscotch.
 None of your business, if I'm in a bar and you're a jackass.

***
Now you?

Connie @ A Merry Heart
Cassie @ Cassie Mae
Sia @ Sia McKye Over Coffee
Mark @ Aloha, and hi! from HI!
Intricate Knot @ My Blog and Role Fantasy
Lynda @ WIP It
Melissa @ Have You Heard
 Gloria @ Gloria Richard
Tara @ Tara Tyler Talks
Jennifer @ The Serial Killer Files
Emily @ Emily R. King


~ My Questions For You ~

1. If your life were a book, what would it be titled?
2. Tell us a favorite childhood memory.
3. Is there a time limit on fortune cookie predictions?
4. Name three lessons LIFE has taught you.
5. Oceans or Mountains, and why?
6. What makes you smile?
7. What would you dare to do if you knew you could not fail?
8. Do you believe in ghosts? What about Muppets?
9. What is your favorite thing about yourself?
10. Given three wishes, what would you wish?
11. What is the one thing you could not live without?


***
THOUGHTS
Become
ACTIONS
Become
HABITS
Become
CHARACTER
Shapes YOUR Life!



“The best way out is always through.”
~ Robert Frost

19 comments:

  1. Not sure what else to say but how much I enjoyed your honesty, sense of humour and insights into your journey to date.

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  2. Some really thoughtful replies to those questions! (Quite a list of pets, too - I'm envious!)
    I can't remember my parents using "because I said so"...they always took the time to explain, or were honest in saying that they were exhausted by our questioning, didn't know but would find out, didn't wish to argue any further about something, etc.

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  3. Thanks for the tag!
    I loved your first answer. My husband and your husband could talk. :)
    As for the animals, good for you! I don't think it's normal for humans to live without some kind of creature(s) to care for.

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  4. Accidentalwriter ~ Really fought to get that in yesterday. So happy you're still reading! *g* I am a bit long-winded sometimes. Most of the time, if I'm being honest, which I am always.

    Li ~ First timer here. Is it obvious? *wink* I distinctly remember the times I've replied with 'because I said so'. Most likely because I've rarely used it. Kid's questions deserve reasonable answers. (They do rely on us, the powers that be, for every 'Yes' or 'No'. When parents find themselves using it often to end an argument, I imagine it's because there are bigger problems afoot.

    Hi, Emily! Looking forward to your answers! *wink* Good to know I'm not the only bedtime mooch! LOL

    I am a caretaker, I guess. Animals find us, we take care of them. Living in a rural area makes it all that easier to say, Yes.

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  5. I love, love, love this.

    And I will answer your questions, too, but probably after work.

    Also, when I was a child, Maria Von Trapp went to one of the churches we went to. (We had 3 different churches & sets of priests. I know. It's a lot. I don't go to any today!)There's the Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe, Vermont. http://www.trappfamily.com/story
    Which is where they ended up settling. Anyway. My point is, that's much closer and you could get the dress and sing the song in Stowe!

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  6. Ooooh, Vermont! I have yet to see the New England states. Have wanted to visit Vermont ever since Bob Newhart moved to the country! *g*

    Em, I've just spent the last half hour reading through the Trapp family stories on the site you shared. I have loved this movie since childhood. It remains my all time favorite musical!

    I can't wait to read your answers! Though, I am sure you could come up with far more interesting questions.

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  7. My goodness, that's a lot of pets. How wonderful!

    Thank you so much for the tag

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  8. Hey you,

    Thanks for the tag and LOVE love, LOVE #1, because your hubby and I would get along like a house on fire :)

    PS... you have *so* saved yourself a tag, as I was in the process of tagging *you* :)

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  9. Lynda ~ That's the full list. We currently only have the first half of that list! *G* That's 28, but only if you're including the chickens.

    We're a bit above the average compared to most of our friends around here... lower than others. It's a rural area. We're raising three kids. Animals come and go. We love and care for them as long as they stay. Aside from our one little ol' 12 year old pure bred pup, Bella, all the rest are strays or saves. Even the horses.

    *G* Not that it's implied. Just want to make sure everyone knows there's no hoarding going on round here.

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  10. Mark ~ I couldn't help but laugh when I wrote that last night! It is *so* true, it's not even funny! I care for him when he's sick. He makes umpteen trips through the house at night, turning out lights, locking up... and yes, bringing me cool, refreshing liquids. Ahh, marriage.

    For the record, I would have loved to answer your questions! As it is, I await with bated breath for yours.
    *Big Fat Satisfied Smile*

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  11. awesomeness! you have some creative questions (and answers)
    thanks for the tag!

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  12. Hey,

    I forgot to say why I was tagging you - considering we are joint new followers - but you are *hilarious* and I love your open and free spirit that flows across your posts... it's no wonder the animals flock to your home and you want to run dancing down a very dangerous hill while wearing a wierd dress (I have a ManCard. I do not know what a VonTrip is :)

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  13. Still laughing over your answer to question 1. Can I relate? Um, yes. Aren’t we lucky? And yes, more sugar please!! If someone is not addicted to sugar, I don’t trust them. I really (really, really!) enjoy reading your writing, Scarlett. And thanks for the tag! Love your questions and I’m working on answering them right now. x

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  14. Tara ~ Looking forward to reading yours! I've been sick in bed (bout killed me to get out these simple posts this week)and could use some fresh entertainment, other than a dog who sees ghosts in my shower and my chickens on the lawn with their tail feathers flying in the wind!

    Mark, Dear Mark! ~ von Trapp, man. It's Maria von Trapp... of 'The Sound of Music' von Trapp family fame! If you haven't shared this with your kids yet, get busy, dude. It's timeless. It's classic. It'll make them wish they were orphans and you were their captain. It's all good.

    And for the record, you're pretty darn special yourself! When my family eventually makes it onto your island(when we win the lottery or find a bunch of cash buried in a jar somewhere) we'll have to get all our kids together for a little Sound of Music fest! We'll need play clothes... I have just the thing. Who needs these old curtains anyway! I feel a Do-Re-Mi coming on now!

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  15. Intricate Knot ~ I know, right? Love me some SUGAR. Funny, I'm not a candy girl, don't care for chocolate very often, but I like my tea SWEET and I love me a glazed doughnut!

    It's good to know there are more nice guys out there than just mine! I love him 'cause he's sweet, of course, but more because he takes care of me like I take care of him, only in a different way, and with much less ado about nothing than I do.

    I am soooo looking forward to your answers! You are an Intricate Knot! I must untie you like a soft braided doughnut to see what kind of yumminess is on the inside! Too much?

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  16. Glazed doughnuts? Oh, be still my heart. Too much? Nah. I can take it! You make me laugh, Scarlett and I love it! Finally (!!!) finished my answers. Answering the questions (good questions, btw) was the easy part, but then coming up with new questions! Phew! But it was fun. Thanks again, Scarlett. x

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  17. Intricate Knot ~ We're headed into town, but will MOST definitely answer YOUR questions asap! Still having some trouble with these headaches, which may or may not be related to my neck. Workin' on it!

    My sweet husband is giving me *that look* because I'm on the computer again. He thinks my problem could be related to eye or neck strain. All I know is, if they cut off my head, it will only make me more miserable. Surely there is another solution. *g* Seriously.

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  18. Gosh, I wish I was that talented and creative! And sorry it took me so long to respond. Geesh, total fail!

    Thanks for the tag!

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    Replies
    1. Cassie, I LOVE your energy! So glad you did make it over! *g*

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