TMI Tuesday | Tell it to us straight or sexy…

(via TMITuesday Blog)

1. One thing that you will never do again?

One thing (there are many) that I will never do again is be a size 8. It just wasn't meant to be!

2. Who knows you the best?

Honestly? I think I know myself better than anyone else knows me. When I try to think of others who might be a close second? Probably those of you who have been reading this blog for years. You know my secrets, my struggles, my achievements. I can't think of anyone IRL who knows those things.

3. Do you think a relationship should be 50/50 all the time?

Oh hell no! And expecting it to be is a recipe for disaster. Look, we all have ups and downs and seldom are they at the same time as our partner. I believe what really makes a relationship work is to step up to the plate when you need to, and communicate to your partner when you need them to.

4. When was your most recent act of kindness? Was it appreciated?

I would have to say that my most recent act of kindness was allowing my son and his girlfriend to move in with me. Did they appreciate it? Absolutely, and the environment in my home is far different (BETTER) than it was when Cam left in March.

Secondarily? I'm putting the two of them in a hotel on the strip tonight so they don't have to get up at  6 AM tomorrow when the new A/C unit is being installed. And again, they appreciated it! 

5. Are you a good friend? Why or why not?

Well? Let me put it this way ... I am a LOYAL friend. I am a CARING friend. I am a COMPASSIONATE friend. That said, if you are looking for the type of friend who you talk to/see twice a week, the type of friend who always keeps in touch, the type of friend who tells you what you want to hear instead of what they honestly believe? You might want to pass on me, and I'm good with that!

6. What is something that you tried really hard to like but just couldn’t?

Ummmmm ... I usually don't try really hard to like something that I don't like. I prefer to move on!

Bonus: How was your month of July? Did you do anything fun, interesting, new?

Ohhhhh July ....

Let's see ... I turned 54, which is better than not turning 54. I had my son and his girlfriend move in with me. I've had limited A/C (like my house was between 88-90 degrees with the A/C set at 74 degrees). I'm about to get this Taco Tuesday $50 tattoo (designed by one of the artists' daughter) and eat free street tacos while waiting.

I took a DISASTROUS vacation by myself that resulted in the end of an 11-year friendship. July was pretty eventful ... it usually is.

Sunday Stealing | Things You Can't Possibly Know

Sunday Stealing

*No, I don't know why these questions start with the number 30, but it bothers me too!*

30. What color is your watch?

31. What do you think of when you think of Australia?

Kangaroos, of course!

32. Ever ridden on a roller coaster?

I have ridden on more roller coasters than I can count, as well as the roller coaster of life!

33. Birthstone? 

Ruby

34. Do you go in at a fast food place or just hit the drive through?

I'm about 98% drive-thru, however I actually went into McDonald's last night because they were offering a $1 double cheeseburger on their app, and since it required scanning my phone to get the deal, I didn't know how to do that in the drive-thru.

35. Do you have any friends on facebook that you actually hate?

I have a handful of Facebook friends that are extended family members who I don't particularly like, but no one that I hate. And when family members get stupid I usually just hide their posts rather than unfriending them.

36. Do you have a dog?

I do not. I would love to have a dog, but unless I lived somewhere with a fenced yard, I would never own a dog - too much work for me and I think unfair to the dog.

37. Last person you talked to on the phone?

*Looks at phone* I called Smith's grocery store yesterday. I have to call them when picking up my weekly ClickList grocery order.

38. Have you met anyone famous? 

Does J. P. Patches count? Unless you grew up in Seattle in the 60's and 70's, you'd likely have no clue who he is, but in my world he was famous, and I got to be on his show when I was 5.

39. Any plans today?

40.  Where are you right now? 

I'm sitting at my desk in my bedroom.

41. Biggest annoyance in your life right now? 

I have two significant annoyances in my life right now (1) an A/C unit that's not been working properly since July 3rd. The replacement unit has been on order for 2 weeks, and the property management company finally got two portable A/C units delivered here on Friday after I lost my mind with them, and (2) water damage in my bathroom and kitchen from a water leak in the unit upstairs. After 4 days of industrial fans and a dehumidifier, I finally got the water remediation equipment removed yesterday. Now I'll get to deal with the actual repairs needed in both rooms.

42. Last song listened to? 

*confession* I started listening to country music about a year ago - Cam would borrow my car and he would always leave the radio tuned to a country music station. I got too lazy to bother changing it and discovered it wasn't horrible - go figure. Anyway, the last song I listened to was Kane Brown - What Ifs ft. Lauren Alaina

43. Last movie you saw? 

The last movie I saw in a movie theater was Incredibles 2, and no, there were no children with me. The last movie I watched at home was The Rainmaker.

44. Are you allergic to anything? 

I was told from an early age that I have a penicillin allergy, however resent research indicates that I probably don't.

45. Favorite pair of shoes you wear all the time?

I just got a new pair of Rocket Dogs and I've actually considered sleeping in them *wink* 

46. What time is it? 

7:54 AM

47. Do any of your friends have children?

Ummmm ... I'm 54 ... most of my friends have grandchildren!

48. Do you eat healthy? 

I eat reasonably healthy, it's my drinking habits that could use some work.

49. What do you usually do during the day?

Since I can't seem to find my Sugar Daddy (you'd think that would be easy in Las Vegas, but noooo ...) I work.

50. Do you hate anyone right now? 

I do my best to not waste emotional energy on hating people, so no, I don't hate anyone right now.

TMI Tuesday | Hard Life

(via TMI Tuesday blog)

1. What do you need to learn but won’t admit to?

You know? I need to learn a lot of things - none of which I'm afraid to admit to. Right now I think self-acceptance/self-love is at the top of my "Need to learn" list, but I'm in NO WAY afraid to admit that.

2. If you could erase one event from your life, which one would you choose? Briefly describe the event, tell us why you would erase it.

I don't know ... I hate these questions! I've has some really difficult events in my life - my father holding a shot-gun to my head and telling me to obey or he would blow my head off, my 23-year old husband committing suicide, the failure of two marriages. But I'm not a believer in "My life would be better had it not been for [FILL IN THE BLANK]" I just can't with these questions.

3. Who drains your energy, and why do you let it happen?

There are two people who drain my energy right now - my mom, and my boss. And I let it happen because ... my mom and my boss ...

4. Do your practice ‘self-love’ or ‘self-loathing’?

I would so like to tell y'all that I practice "self-love," but we all know better - self-loathing is far more comfortable for me.

5. What must you do daily to keep yourself ‘sane’?

What do I need to do daily to keep myself sane (and alive)? Take my anti-depressants.

Bonus:  Who do you blame?

I blame myself ... always. I've been blaming myself since I was 5-years old. Pretty sure that will never change.

Sunday Stealing | Food, Glorious Food

(via Sunday Stealing)

1.  Do you like pie?

Mmmmm ... pie ... as long as it is a Moon Pie, a Hostess Fruit Pie (especially apple), a sweet potato pie, or any type of fruit pie, I'm good. Serve me a chicken pot pie or a cream pie of any sort? I will hand it right back to you!

2.  Italian or Mexican?

YES!!! Okay if I really have to choose, Mexican edges out Italian by a hair.

3.  Can you bake? If so, what are your favorite things to bake?

I can bake, and I do bake! My favorite things to bake? Cheesecake, bread, cookies, brownies, cakes ... should I go on?

4.  Do you use cook books or do you try to find recipes online?

I have cookbooks that I often go to. like my Better Homes & Gardens 12th Edition cookbook. I also go to my grandmothers recipes. That said? Online recipes have gotten so easy to access that I use that resource as well.

5.  Do you own a kitchen aid mixer?

Unfortunately I don't own a Kitchen-Aid mixer, but I do have Kitchen-Aid mixer envy.

6.  Ever cooked a meal for more than 15 people at one time?

As a matter of fact, I have! I had an opportunity to help cook Thanksgiving Dinner for all of the employees at Dave & Busters here in Las Vegas. It was - by far - the best Thanksgiving I've ever had!

7.  Do you like hospital food?

I don't like hospitals, so there food is not high on my list.

8.  Favorite fast food restaurant?

Ohhhhh ... for burgers? In-And-OUT. For anything else? Taco Bell!!

9.  Any picky eaters in your family?

My son leans toward the picky side of eating. He has some specific "no's" ... like fresh tomatoes and any cooked vegetable that isn't corn. 

10.  Soda or Tea?

Soda ... always soda!

11.  Hot chocolate?

Mehhhh ... on occasion, but certainly not a go-to.

12.  Favorite holiday dish?

*thinks*thinks*thinks* STUFFING! Thanksgiving stuffing!!

13.  What is the most tasteful strangest looking thing you have ever tasted?

This is another ummmmm ... Kumquats? Star Fruit? Jackfruit? Food doesn't scare me (obviously)

14.  Fries or tater tots?

TOTS!!! And ranch please!

15.  Do you like cheese? If so what kind?

What kind of question is this?? Are there people in the world who don't like cheese?? What is wrong with them???

16.  Home made or can soup?

I don't know that I've ever made home-made soup. I am a fan of frozen soups and, on occasion, Campbell's chicken noodle soup!

17.  Do you like to eat out?

I do like to eat out. My favorite meal to eat out is BREAKFAST! Give me iHop any day!

18.  What kind of food is popular where you are? (Like in Alaska it is seafood)

Okay ... so ... I live in Las Vegas. There really aren't any local foods here, but we have some of the best restaurants you could ever want.

19.  Do you like cotton candy?

Nope!!

20.  Turkey or Chicken?

Generally chicken, but I do love me some Thanksgiving turkey!

21.  Hamburger or tuna helper?

Seriously?? Tuna should NEVER be served warm!

22.  Raw or cooked veggies?

YES!!! Give me all of the veggies - cooked or raw!!

23.  Do you like salad? If so, what is your favorite kind of salad?

Love salad. My favorites? Caesar and Portillo's Chopped Salad

24.  Favorite pizza topping?

*thinks*thinks*thinks* Ummmm ... garlic??

25.  Do you like meat loaf?

Yes please!!

A Disturbance in the Matrix

I was doing so well with routine blogging - sure, much of it was memes and regurgitating things that I had read, but it was happening regularly - a huge improvement over what it had been.

And then I took a "vacation" to Dallas to visit a friend who I hadn't seen for 10 years ... and things imploded ...

I had scheduled this visit twice - the first time I cancelled the airline ticket and  hotel reservation within 24 hours after making them. I should have listened to my instincts - there was a reason I cancelled - and the reason was SCREAMING. But in true Dana fashion (sorry for the 3rd person reference), I ignored it.

Then the "vacation" was rescheduled and happened.

It was a cluster fuck from the beginning.

After picking me up from the airport, Fionn and I went to Walmart to pick up groceries. My hotel reservations were at Residence Inn specifically because I was looking to save some money on eating out. Our trip to Walmart resulted in a 2+ hour extravaganza of drama - as we were checking out, another customer fell and hit her head. We spent the next hour tending to her and waiting for paramedics to arrive.

At this point? I should have been prepared for the shit-show that was inevitable.

But me being me, I was all' "This is life - this is what happens -it's all good!" I should have gone home after that because it got worse ...

Without going into details (to protect the *not so* "innocent") it was cluster fuck after cluster fuck, ending in Fionn being admitted to the hospital on the day I left and me spending 8 hours at DFW waiting for my flight.

And then the end of an 11-year friendship ...

I spent $1,000 to be absolutely miserable.

I am embarrassed - I am disappointed - it's tough to blog when you are in that place.

Add to that? I turned 54 and had to evaluate where my life is.

It's been a tough month - I'm trying to put it in order, but? GAHHHHHH!

So ... that's where I've been. I'm not sure where I'll be in a week/month, but here I am ... broken and confused ... again ...

TMI Tuesday | It could happen…

(Via TMI Tuesday Blog and the missing word in this photo is on them, not me)

1. If each of your index fingers could spew a liquid for the rest of your life, what liquid(s) would it be?

*tries to think of something "cute"* Let's be honest - vodka (specifically Grey Goose) and orange soda, because nothing says classy quite like a high end vodka and orange soda!

2. If you could talk to everyone in the world for 5 minutes, all at once, what would you say?

I'm not sure that I could talk to everyone in the world for 5 whole minutes, but if I had their ears? I'd say ... "Love each other. Take care of those who need help. Don't judge anyone as you might someday be n their shoes".

3. Would you rather not be able to eat for a week OR not be able to _____ for a month?

Am I supposed to fill in the blank on this one? So confused. I mean if the question was, "Would you rather not be able to eat for a week OR not be able to clean toilets for a month?" I'd go with the clean toilets option. If it was, "Would you rather not be able to eat for a week OR not be able to have an orgasm for a month?" I'd be hungry ... very, VERY hungry!

4. What exhilarates you?

exhilarate - transitive verb

1 : to make cheerful and excited : enliven, elate was exhilarated by her success

2 : refresh, stimulate

 _________________________________________________

Ummm ... I've got nothing ... 

5. What is the best perk of your job? What is the best perk you have ever had at any job?

The best perk of my job is that my workplace is seven steps from my bed, and honestly? That is the best perk I've ever had at any job.

Bonus:  Just how naughty are you?

There are a handful of you reading this who know the answer to this question. There are far more of you reading this who have no idea. Let's just say that on the 1-10 naughty scale? I'm at 728 *evil grin*

Sunday Stealing | Swap Bot Questions

(from Swap Bot via Sunday Stealing)

1.Where were you 3 hours ago?

At the Denton Movie Tavern watching Incredibles 2 while reclining in my seat with my feet up and drinking a jumbo jug margarita

2.Have you ever eaten a crayon?

Not that I can remember, but if I were to eat a crayon? It would definitely be Mango Tango!

3.Is there anything pink within 10 feet of you?

Normally? This would be a no, however today I am actually wearing pink panties. Yes, I can be a real girl sometimes.

4.When is the last time you went to the mall?

A mall? Like an indoor mall? That would be Woodfield Mall at least 3 years ago. If outdoor malls are included, Downtown Summerlin probably 2-ish years ago? Malls are NOT my gig - I go only when there are absolutely no other options.

5.Are you wearing socks right now?

Oh hell no! I'm currently vacationing in Denton Texas in July. Sandals ... and never socks with sandals.

6.When was the last time you drove out of town?

How far out of town? I've been to Spring Mountain Ranch within the last 6 months and I've been to Henderson, Nevada within the last 4 months. Farther than that? It would be the move from Illinois to Las Vegas over 2 years ago.

7.Have you been to the movies in the last 5 days?

See question 1. If it weren't for going to the movies today? My answer would have been, "Over 4 years ago."

8.What was the last thing you had to drink?

Mike's Harder Cranberry - don't judge me!

9.What are you wearing right now?

A floral print skirt, a light blue camisole, and sandals.

10.Do you wash your car or let the car wash do it?

I live in a condo. I couldn't hand-wash my car if I wanted to. I let Terrible Herbst do the work for me as I subscribe to there monthly car wash plan.

11.Last food that you ate?

The last thing I ate was a pre-packaged Cesar Salad from Quick trip.

12.Where were you last week at this time?

Last week at this time I had just returned home from a business meeting in Cedar Rapids, IA and was grateful to be back in Vegas.

13.Have you bought any clothing items in the last week?

I have not bought any clothing items in the last week, however I did purchase quite a few items within the last month. I had to dress business casual for the meeting last week, and when you work from home, business casual is a pair of "baller" shorts and a tank top sans bra. I didn't think that would be appropriate for an actual business meeting.

14.When is the last time you ran?

Ran? Was a serial killer chasing me? Because that would be the only reason I would need to run!

15.What's the last sporting event you watched?

Let's see ... it would have been a FIFA World Cup match last week (on television), however I'm hoping to get to the Las Vegas Summer League series this upcoming week so that I can watch Jalen Brunson play at the NBA level.