Share Your World ~~~ August 28, 2017

August 29, 2017 JackieP14 Comments

Sending lots of love and light to Texans who have been hit by the hurricane. May you all stay safe.

Cee is back from her mini vacation so here is this week’s edition of Share Your World.

What would constitute a “perfect” day for you?

A day with no pain….of course that would probably mean I died, so let’s skip that, shall we?

Ok, instead let’s go with a rainy day that I can snuggle down with a hot cup of coffee and listen to the drops hitting the roof. Quiet, peaceful and stress-free. Ahhhhhh. No TV blaring, no one talking, just being in the moment.

Complete this sentence: My favorite place in the whole world…..

Is in a home in the woods. Where the deer scamper and bees buzz, butterflies float with the breeze. Quiet and peaceful and full of nature. With a small lake full of jumping fish and playful dragonflies skimming the water. I know this place exists somewhere. I’ve been to places that were close to this perfection. I’m willing to go and test out places to fit my preferences.

Who was your best friend in elementary school (prior to age 12)?

Gloria Holt. She was a distant relative I found out later. We went to grade school together and were best friends for years. Unfortunately, she came to a bad end I found out later. We drifted apart when we moved out of the neighborhood and I saw here years later on a bus of all things. I’m not sure she recognized me but I sure recognized her. She was working the streets back then, hooked on drugs after being sexually abused as a kid. I never knew she was being abused as she didn’t know I was. We never discussed it. I thought it was just so heartbreaking for her to deal that way with the abuse. Could have easily been me, I suppose. I just choose not to go down that destructive road.

What inspired you this past week? Feel free to use a quote, a photo, a story, or even a combination.

People might fuss, fight and feud but when the times get tough they do work together for the greater good. People in Texas are known for standing up for their convictions, whether good or bad and fighting for them. But when the hurricane caused so much damage they came together as a united people to help others. THAT is what keeps my faith in humanity.

Cee's Share Your World · Mi Vida Loca · questions and answers

Share Your World ~~~ August 21, 2017

August 23, 2017 JackieP13 Comments

Cee, who usually hosts Share Your World is on a mini vacation this week. So Emilio kindly offered to host this weeks edition. Thanks, Emilio!

You can find Emilio’s blog here. While you’re there take a look around, he’s a wonderful photographer!

So, here we go with Emilio’s questions and my answers.

Have you ever been pulled over by a cop?

Once that I remember. Many years ago I was living in Nacogdoches, Texas. I was piss poor broke and couldn’t afford my tags for my car that year. I also couldn’t afford insurance but I needed my car to get around and look for work. I pulled into the local Wal-Mart parking lot to put in my application for employment and I just happened to be spotted by a cop. As I got out of my car to go inside he stopped me and asked about my out of date tags. I told him my sob story and he let it pass without a ticket but warned me to get my tags somehow, someway. Also, until then not to drive unless I have to. He was a nice, understanding guy.

What have you always wanted? Did you get it?

I’ve always wanted to live in the woods in a small cabin with nothing around but wildlife and trees. Did I get it? Um, no. Don’t see me ever getting it either unless I win the lottery. And that you have to play to win. Which I don’t. Well, sometimes I do. The husband does, so I’m hoping he’ll win it for me.

What is your perfect pizza?

I’m kind of fussy about my pizza. I absolutely will not have fruit of any kind on it! My perfect pizza is sausage, pepperoni, onion, mushrooms, black olives and extra cheese. Mmmmm, now I want pizza.

What inspired you this past week? Feel free to use a quote, a photo, a story, or even a combination.

Coffee inspires me. It helps me through the good times, the bad times and the boring times. Coffee is my life blood. 😉

Hope everyone is having a good week. Hang in there if you aren’t because everything is temporary, especially the bad stuff.

Cee's Share Your World · Mi Vida Loca · questions and answers

Share Your World ~~~ August 7, 2017

August 9, 2017August 9, 2017 JackieP9 Comments

When did Wednesday turn into Monday? When I’m doing Cee’s Share Your World, apparently. Time does seem to get away from me and I’m not sure why.

So, here is this week’s questions and answers! Enjoy!

What was the last URL that you bookmarked or saved?

The Canadian government’s website. Yeah, I have to fill out some paperwork before the husband turns 65 in February. So, I was looking to see what I would need. Exciting stuff, eh?

Do you believe in the afterlife? Reincarnation?

Yes, I do. I always have. My thinking is this can’t be it. We can’t be given just one lifetime to get things right. In this whole infinite universe, we can’t be limited to just a one time shot. This belief has been strengthened by meeting a few people who I swear I have known before. I’ve had one or two people swear they have known me before too. So, yeah, I truly believe in reincarnation.

If you were or are a writer do you prefer writing short stories, poems or novels?

I like to think of myself as a writer. As for preference, I will have to go with short stories. I enjoy writing in a more concise way than novel-writing gives you. Although, I love the challenge of novel-writing. I have written poems but no way would I consider myself a poet.

What inspired you this past week? Feel free to use a quote, a photo, a story, or even a combination.

My husband and friends. They inspire me every day. My husband because even though he is in constant severe pain he keeps going every day. Some days slower but he keeps trying. I also have a friend that has fibro and she is one tough cookie. She fights it every day. She gets up and moves even though it hurts like hell. She is going through something right now personally that is devastating and she still manages to keep going. I also have another good friend who just lost her father and her husband within a week of each other. Yet, she still manages to be the sweet and loving person she always is despite her great grief.

So, yeah, when I bitch about aches and pains of old age, I think about these strong people in my life who are going through so much more right now and it humbles me.

I’m so honored to be their friends. I love you guys.

Cee's Share Your World · Mi Vida Loca · questions and answers

Share Your World ~~~ July 31, 2017

August 1, 2017 JackieP11 Comments

Another month is gone! This year is going by way too fast. It really is true, the older you get the faster time goes.

Another edition of Cee’s Share Your World is here, live! Hope you enjoy.

If you had to have your vision corrected would you rather: glasses or contacts? Or what do you use if you need to have your vision corrected?

I wear glasses. Have since I was sixteen. I did wear contacts for a few years in my late 20’s. Never had a problem with them. Stopped wearing them when I started doing a lot of wood work. Sawing and sanding are not a good mix with contacts. I don’t work with wood much anymore but I just kept with the glasses because it was easier. Plus, I love transition lenses. (That’s the lenses where they turn darker in sunlight) My eyes are a bit sensitive to sunlight so these kinds of lenses help a lot.

Are you more of a dog person or a cat person?

I’m an old animal lover. Doesn’t make any difference what kind, I love them all. I must admit that dogs have a slight edge ahead but all in all, I love all animals.

If you were to buy a new house/apartment what is the top three items on your wish list?

The first thing is…no stairs. Must be one level. The husband can’t do steps anymore and I must admit I have a hard time myself sometimes. Then…two bathrooms! I don’t like sharing a bathroom with anyone. I’m selfish that way. The third…a fenced in back yard for my animals.

My dream house also has a home library/studio where I can have peace and quiet to write or whatever. A large kitchen with lots of cupboards and counter space. I have yet to have a kitchen like that. I have always had small dinky ones with no counter space.

What inspired you this past week? Feel free to use a quote, a photo, a story, or even a combination.

Friends. I have strong, resourceful, wonderful, loving friends. They are always a source of inspiration when I need it the most.

Cee's Share Your World · Mi Vida Loca · questions and answers

Share Your World ~~~ July 10, 2017

July 11, 2017July 11, 2017 JackieP19 Comments

Good day, People! Hope everyone is safe and sound today and having a great time!

Let’s get started on this week’s questions and answers from Cee’s Share Your World.

How do you like to spend a rainy day?

Mostly how I spend every other day. On my computer. Either writing (or trying to), playing games or reading. One day is much like another around here, rain or shine.

Sometimes, when I had a covered porch I would sit outside and listen to it rain. I love the rain. I wish I had a covered porch once more.

List at least five favorite treats. (They do not have to be sugary).

Peanuts, pears, anything with lemon in it, asparagus (they are a bit expensive around here), popcorn (unsalted), most berries. If I’m really bad I love peanut M & M’s.

Where’s your favorite place to take out-of-town guests?

It’s been close to 12 years since I’ve had out-of-town guests. That’s when my mom and sister gave me a surprise visit from Wisconsin. They stayed with me for about a week and we took them to Banff (a town in Alberta) and the Rocky Mountains. It’s beautiful up there no matter what time of year. We took them to several local touristy type places too. They seemed to enjoy themselves.

You are trapped in an elevator, who would you want to be trapped with?

Cee gave the best answer…..the person who could fix the elevator from inside. LOL

If I couldn’t luck out and have them, I wouldn’t mind being stuck in an elevator with Neil Gaiman or JD Robb (Nora Roberts) so I could talk books, poetry, and just everyday things. I think both are interesting people without the glamor and drama of other high-profile people.

Or, anyone who wouldn’t go hysterical and I could have a decent conversation with while we wait for that person to fix the elevator.

There you are, folks! Hope you enjoyed and if you want to join us, just click the link above and it will take you to Cee’s where you can join in on the fun.

Cee's Share Your World · Mi Vida Loca · questions and answers

Share Your World ~~~ July 3, 2017

July 4, 2017 JackieP11 Comments

Hope everyone is having a safe and happy holiday. Remember to keep those pets safe while fireworks are set off.

Now for the questions and answers! Here are Cee’s Share Your World questions for this week.

For your main meal do you prefer sweet and sour, hot and spicy, spicy and sweet, bitter, salty, bland or other?

I would normally have said hot and spicy but since my stomach problems started a few months ago I can no longer eat spicy food. Boo!!!! Nor anything with milk or tomatoes in them. Man, I tell ya, I’m suffering!

Now it’s down to pretty bland food as I can’t have salt either. As I keep saying….getting old is not for sissies. LOL

Where do you hide junk when people come over?

Short answer…..I don’t. My animals and I live in this place. Sometimes we are messy. I have come to the conclusion that there is more to life than a clean house. So if you come over and especially if you come over unannounced (give me a few hours) you will come to a house that needs vacuuming and dusting. With dog toys all over the floor.

I do remember one time when I lived with someone else and we both hated doing dishes, she would hide the dirty dishes in the oven when her family came over. LOL

I was never one for hiding how I lived. I have always thought that if someone didn’t like my house like it was, don’t come over. Simple.

What daily habit would you like to introduce to your life?

Exercising. At least taking a daily walk. I can’t seem to find the ambition to do it.

If you were to perform in the circus, what would you do?

I really don’t like the circus. I don’t like the animals being in the circus. Now, something like Cirque du Soliel would be nice. It is more people orientated. I would be one of the ladies with the ribbons. Lithe and supple and in complete sync with the music. (A lady can dream, right?)

Cee's Share Your World · Mi Vida Loca · questions and answers

Share Your World ~~~ June 26, 2017

June 27, 2017 JackieP15 Comments

It’s Tuesday here so it must mean it’s time for Monday’s Cee’s Share your world! A bit twisted I know but that’s me!

Here we go:

What goal are you working on now? Your goal can be something fun or extremely serious. Have fun with this question.

I always have several goals going on at any given time. Nothing like spreading myself out. First, to get healthy, which seems to be a lot of people’s goals. Second to finish writing my two or three books I have in various stages of completion. Then going on to write several more. Then there is my goal to become filthy rich. Yeah, I’m always working on that one but seem to keep getting further behind with it. Of course, that would mean I need to be ambitious and driving in my goal to become filthy rich. Eh, maybe tomorrow.

What is one thing you’re glad you tried but would never do again?

After my first divorce, I would have said marriage. Yet, here I am, married again. Will I never learn?

I tried flying a kite once because several people have told me to “go fly a kite”. It got stuck in a tree. So, I never tried again.

I tried perming my hair once when I was a kid. Disaster! Never tried that again.

I even tried decaffeinated coffee once on my doctor’s advice. Oh. My. God. Never again! Talk about nasty!

Did you choose your profession or did it choose you?

Well, it depends on your definition of ‘profession’. If it means I’m a Jack of all trades and master of none, then yup that’s what I chose! I never had the same job twice. I’ve been many things in my life, secretary (as Cee would say, “for people old enough to remember what that was”, Antique restorer and dealer, carpet cleaner, Personal Assistant (a glorified secretary really), retail clerk, casino worker, personal aide. Just to name a few that I remember. I like variety.

Have you ever gotten lost?

I don’t get lost! I have mini adventures. LOL

So in short, yes, I’ve gotten lost. I’m terrible with directions. One time I got lost between Fort Worth and Dallas. Now everyone knows Fort Worth-Dallas area is huge. I mean it’s traffic is horrendous. I got so lost I almost ended up in Oklahoma……running out of gas…..with no money. Yeah, that was NOT a fun time. I did manage to get back to where I needed to be but with a raging headache and a vow never to drive in Dallas alone again.