Another Sunday Full of Questions, Answers and a Whole Lot of Stealing!

Welcome back to Sunday Stealing. Sunday Stealing originated on WTIT: The Blog authored by Bud Weiser. Here we will steal all types of memes from every corner of the blogosphere. Our promise to you is that we will work hard to find the most interesting and intelligent memes. You may have heard of the expression, “honor amongst thieves”. In that age-old tradition, we also have our rules. First, we always credit the blog that we stole it from and we will “fess up” to the blog owner where we stole the meme. We also provide a link to the victim's post. (It's our way of saying "Thanks!") We do sometimes edit the original meme, usually to make it more relevant to our global players, to challenge our players, sometimes to select that meme's best questions, or simply to make it less repetitive from either this new meme or recently asked questions from a prior featured meme. Let's go!

Today we ripped this meme of a blogger known as Wayfarer at Wayfarer's Journal. Wayfarer doesn't explain if he wrote it or stole it. But if he did, it was probably stolen there as well. So, of course, that will be as far as we go. Tracing back our theft's thieves might take some time. Link back to us at Sunday Stealing!

Cheers to all of us thieves!


Sunday Stealing: The Presuppose You're Living in New England Meme

1. Have you turned the heat on in your house yet this fall?

Yes

2. Do you allow your pets on the furniture?

Need I say more?!

 

3. What were your final words for September?

I can't believe summer is over

4. What are your first words for October?

5. Do you think you’ve ever seen a ghost?

No

6. What is the one color that represents this time of year?

Deep Red Orange

7. Which of your senses do you think is most sensitive this time of year?

Smell

8. What is your favorite thing to do at the county fair?

Eat

9. What do you like when you have a cold?

10. Are you willing to spend over $100 for a piece of winter clothing, like boots or a coat?

Sure, are you paying?

12. What do you have too much of in your kitchen?

13. What gripes do you have about this time of year?

That it rains all the time here in Seattle

14. Other than yourself, are you responsible for getting anyone ready in the morning?

No

15. When was the last time you cleaned your gutters?

Just put new ones up

16. So, it’s after Labor Day. Will you still be wearing white?

No

17. What shows are you most looking forward to this Fall?

The Talk and Dexter

18. What three things have you just not gotten around to from the summer, but probably should do before snow flies?

Put away all my summer clothes and bring down the winter ones

Clean and organize our empty rooms, which have become storage units

Organize my photos 

Any Thoughts About Facebook and Teachers?

With the recent news about teachers being fired for inappropriate actions on Facebook, I wanted to see what you thought. I have attached one of the articles below.  Another teacher was fired recently for posting negative comments about her school.

Of course most teachers have the integrity and common sense not even to establish any contact with their students on Facebook or any other social media outlet for that matter, and this is not about the majority of teachers.  There are always going to be a few bad apples in the bunch, in every profession.

However, as Dr. Phil would say, "What were you thinking?"  What happened people?!   I am a Registered Nurse by profession, I do not "friend" my patients!! That would be unheard of, at least in my mind!  

So as you can imagine I can not understand why in this case they felt that they could do such a thing.  Do I think they should be fired, well yes.  Do I feel a teacher can use Facebook, yes.  I think anyone can use Facebook for personal use, but do not "friend" your students, simple.

I live on the west coast and my sister is on the east coast.   I have asked her to create a page so that we can share our updates all in one place.  She is a teacher, she has said several times that she does not want her students knowing anything about her private life.  Even with Facebook's "privacy" settings, she doesn't feel comfortable having one.  So we resort to email and phone communication!

When it comes to communicating with your students online, the only place I feel is appropriate is on the school website.  At least here in our school district both parents and students can communicate with their teachers on that site.

Of course these cases are extreme, and Facebook would not have been an issue if the teachers would have just not added their students as "friends"!

I would love to hear your thoughts!

• Do you think the teachers should have been fired?
• Should teachers have a Facebook page? 
• What actions should teachers or the school take when using social media?
• If you are a teacher, do you feel you should "friend" your students?  Why?

Am I the Monkey in the Middle?

The Monkey in the Middle

I love stopping by Mama Kat's Writer's Workshop a few times a month, preferably weekly.  Her writing prompts stir up all sorts of memories to write about!  This week I chose, number 1, In what way were you labeled as a child and how did it affect you?

I am the oldest in my family, I have a younger sister and brother.  My mom was a Social Worker, and bless her heart she did not want my sister to become the "middle child"!  

So with all the attention thrown at my sister to make sure she did not have any of those "pesky" little traits and of course while raising my baby brother, guess who became the middle child by default?  You guessed it, me the first born!

I even remember friends of the family doting on my sister and comparing her to me, usually always putting me down at the same time.  

My personality is typical of the middle child and my sister although younger has most of the traits of the first born!  So Mom, you got one anyway!  

I did miss out on some of the typical first born traits, which may have made my life a little easier, but I can't complain, I am who I am. 

When I was raising my sons, I tried to give the same amount of attention to all three.  I am sure I failed many times, as life with three children and working gets pretty hectic, but I was aware of my participation with all of them.

All three are independent and have a great future ahead of them. They did not follow in their Mommy's shy and insecure footsteps!

So was I labeled as a child and did it affect me?  Oh yes to both!

Click on the banner below and join in on all the fun!

A Book Review: Grace: A Christmas Sisters of the Heart Novel by Shelley Shepard Gray

Amazon's Product Description 

"It's never too late to go home.  It's Christmastime at the Brenneman Bed and Breakfast, and everyone is excited about closing down for the holidays.  But when two unexpected visitors appear seeking shelter, the family's commitment to hospitality is tested.

First Levi arrives, sullen and angry.....but insisting on staying for five days.  Next Melody shows up.  She's almost nine months pregnant, but won't say a word about why she traveled all the way from Kentucky by herself.

As the two strangers settle in, the Brennemans try to make the best of an uncomfortable situation, except for Katie, who and knows a thing or two about keeping secrets.  She is determined to learn the truth about these two strangers....all while keeping her own secret safely hidden away.

All is revealed when a snowstorm traps them at the inn."

                                                      About the Author

"Shelley Shepard Gray lives in southern Ohio with her family where she writes full-time. She is the author of the Sisters of the Heart and the Seasons of Sugarcreek series."

Read More by This Author

A Penny For My Thoughts

The story takes place in a beautiful Bed and Breakfast during the holidays.  The tale comes alive with the holiday season approaching and all the preparations and traditions are richly portrayed.

As the family is preparing for Christmas, two guests arrive out of the blue, bringing with them some additional baggage to say the least! 

Ms. Gray transports the reader to this warm and cozy inn, which made it difficult for me to checkout of this beautiful B&B! 

I definitely recommend this book.  I am sure you will enjoy it as much as I did and it will get you in the spirit of the upcoming Holiday Season.

Disclosure

I chose this book to read and review.  I was given an Uncorrected E-Proof-Not for Sale Copy of this book and did not receive any compensation for my review .  The views and opinions expressed in this post are purely my own.  There are affiliate links in this post, if someone were to click on the link I will receive a small commission if purchased.

Sunday Meme: Another 50 Questions Part Two

Here is the second part of Sunday Stealing: Another 50 Questions Meme, Part Two Indeed!

Another Sunday has rolled around.  The weeks just fly by!  This has been pretty fun and you are welcome to join in,  just click on the banner below. 







26. Do you like someone?


27. The last song you listened to?


28. What time of day were you born?
8:30 a.m.

29. What’s your favorite number?
7

30. Where did you live in 1987?
Tampa, Florida

31. Are you jealous of anyone?

No

32. Is anyone jealous of you?
I don't think so

33. Where were you when 9/11 happened?

At home getting ready to go to work and watching the news

34. What do you do when vending machines steal your money?

35. Do you consider yourself kind?
Yes

36. If you had to get a tattoo, where would it be?
On somebody else

37. If you could be fluent in any other language, what would it be?


38. Would you move for the person you loved?
Yes

39. Are you touchy feely?


40. What’s your life motto?

Joy is a net of love by which you can catch souls.

Mother Teresa

41. Name three things that you have on you at all times?
Underwear, socks, glasses

42. What’s your favorite town/city?

Luquillo Beach, Puerto Rico

43. What was the last thing you paid for with cash?
Gas

44. When was the last time you wrote a letter to someone on paper and mailed it?
When my son was in Iraq

45. Can you change the oil on a car?
No, but I am really good at watching my husband do it!

46. Your first love: what is the last thing you heard about him/her?
That he is doing well with two children, divorced and happy

47. How far back do you know about your ancestry?

Great grandparents.  My great grandfather was murdered in his kitchen by my

great grandmother's live in lover, but she went to jail for it.

48. The last time you dressed fancy, what did you wear and why did you dress fancy?
In 2005 at our son's wedding

49. Does anything hurt on your body right now?
No

50. Have you been burned by love?

Yes 

Welcome back to Sunday Stealing. Sunday Stealing originated on WTIT: The Blog authored by Bud Weiser. Here we will steal all types of memes from every corner of the blogosphere. Our promise to you is that we will work hard to find the most interesting and intelligent memes. You may have heard of the expression, “honor amongst thieves”. In that age-old tradition, we also have our rules. First, we always credit the blog that we stole it from and we will “fess up” to the blog owner where we stole the meme. We also provide a link to the victim's post. (It's our way of saying "Thanks!") We do sometimes edit the original meme, usually to make it more relevant to our global players, to challenge our players, sometimes to select that meme's best questions, or simply to make it less repetitive from either this new meme or recently asked questions from a prior featured meme. Let's go!

Today we ripped this meme of a blogger known as Nigel Vanstone at Away for a Bit. Nigel explains that he was tagged to do the meme, but does not credit the blogger. But, it was probably stolen there as well. So, of course, that will be as far as we go. Tracing back our theft's thieves might take some time. He promised to post the next 25 questions and he came though. We know some are the most common questions ever, but overall we hope that you'll enjoy Nigel one more time! Link back to us at Sunday Stealing!

Happy Halloween! You Are Invited!!

I am getting ready for my first Halloween Party!  I am so excited and I can't wait to get there.  Where is my hat?....

Oh here it is!  Love candy corn, it is my favorite. I better get going before it gets dark.  Let me make sure I have my invitation.

Vanessa from A Fanciful Twist was so nice to invite me.  The directions are on the back, 112  Ocean Avenue in Amityville, New York, why does that address sound so familiar?  I hope I don't get lost.  

Wow, it is getting pretty foggy up here.  That place looks a little spooky.  
Keep going, where is that darn turn off?

Oh no, what is that sound?  Sputter, clunk, kurplunk, spit, spat,.........what could be wrong? Now the engine is dead, I can't start the car!

No gas?  Why didn't I check that?  Of all things to go wrong.  Gosh, I was so distracted I didn't even remember to get gas before I left.  I don't think the house is too far from here, I am going to have to walk it.  I am so scared, why didn't I bring someone with me?  Why is it so darn foggy? 

What is that I hear?

I think I have to go through those trees up there.  At least the fog is gone!! I have never been so scared in my life.  

I don't see the house yet, where the heck do you live Vanessa? And why do I hear all these stupid noises?  She must have some Halloween music on....... yeah that must be it.  

I hear someone!  Run....  Oh I see the house!!

Thank goodness,  this has to be it, please be it, the moon is already out and the noises don't stop, please stop.

VANESSA, where are you?  Hello?  Are you in here? Oh NOOOOO...................

I hope you enjoyed my Halloween Party, please remember to visit Vanessa at A Fanciful Twist, where you will find paintings, art dolls, jewelry, illustrations and much more! 

Photos and Halloween Stock Photos used in this post were not harmed in any way, and their well-being and safety was assured by me!

My First Guest Post by Kendall from Reading, Reading & Life!

Today I am so excited to have Kendall from Reading, Reading & Life  join us with our first Guest Post!  I met Kendall through  The SITS Girls, which is a wonderful blogging community of over 7,000 women bloggers who are all dedicated to supporting one another. 

Kendall's blog is primarily focused on Books and Book Reviews and her favorite genres are horror, mystery, thriller and non-fiction true crime.  She was also just chosen to be a reviewer for Suspense Magazine!

Kendall has taught me so much,  she has always been so kind to answer any of my questions and guide me in the right direction. I love her writing style and I think you will too!  We have really enjoyed getting to know each other and her sense of humor is wonderful!!  I am honored that she agreed to write a Guest Post for my blog!  Thank you Kendall!  Please stop by her blog, I know you will enjoy your time there!  Here is her post!




Why I Love Fostering Kitties

Lisa is being kind enough to allow me to guest post on her blog today as part of our tribe networking.  My blog, Reading, Reading & Life is mostly books and book reviews.  Usually my header shows two of our six cats but they are gone for the Halloween theme. Yes, we have six cats.  Four are ours, one is a permanent foster due to age and health, and one is adoptable.

I would like to share with you why I think everyone should give fostering a try:

1.  There are too many abandoned cats out on our streets that are not spayed or neutered and will continue to make more kittens.

2.  Knowing you are helping an animal who otherwise may not have a chance makes you feel good inside.

3.  It is a very rewarding feeling to take a scared cat and socialize them so they can have a furever home with a family.

4. Pets reduce stress so while you are helping the kitty he is helping you.

5. If you love cats but can't afford one fostering gives you the chance to have your kitty while he still stays under the umbrella of your rescue organization.  Very low or no cost to you.

Meet Uncle Sal, our permanent foster

Sally Dada as we like to call him is soon to be 16 years old.  His owners took him to the vet two years ago and asked to have him euthanized due to his age and some bathroom issues.  The vet refused and called our rescue, Smitten By Kittens to foster him.  Unfortunately there was no one open to foster him so he stayed at the vet in a cage for three months.

I asked about him one day and found out he was still at the vet and hubs and I went to pick him up the next day!  No way did I want him to stay in a cage.

Uncle Sal is declawed, a horrible, cruel, inhumane thing to do to a cat so he can't play the way the other cats do but he still has fun.  He uses his scratching post or tries to.  Earlier this summer Uncle Sal was diagnosed with diabetes.  Thankfully with lots of help from his vet we were finally able to get it under control just this past week.  We give him insulin shots twice a day and will for as long as he needs them.  He doesn't love it but he doesn't fight us when it's shot time or what we have to stick his ear to check his glucose level.  I truly believe he knows we are doing it to help him.

Uncle Sal has never had any issues with the litter box since he came to live with us.  He has become such a sweet and loving baby and knows he is greatly loved.  Like any elderly person he can be quite cranky and moody but we would not want him any other way.

Fostering Uncle Sal has been rewarding in so many ways.  To watch him grow from a nasty cat who would not even let you touch him into a purring sweetie who rubs noses with you has been amazing.  If the vet would have listened to his other owners Uncle Sal would not be here to make me laugh, keep me company when I am on the computer, or greet me after work.  I don't know how many years he has but he will always have a "permanent foster home" here with us.

Helping animals is very rewarding and they need us to be their voice.  Maybe you can find a way to help an animal that needs you.

A big thank you hug to Lisa for letting me hijack her blog today.  This is my first guest post and it's not a book post!  Please stop over and visit me sometime if you are looking for suggestions on what to read or maybe what not to read. 

The Brady Bunch We Are Not!

Our family is like the Brady Bunch, but without all the smiles, politeness, respect, and overall sugary sweet, Disney singing birdies flying through the house kind of home!   I was Alice and Carol all in one, so how fun was that?!  I am still having issues from multiple personalities!  My husband loves to cook so it wasn't all that bad!!

Oh the blended family phenomena! When I met my husband we had to commute to see each other.  The visits with the kids were perfect and blissful, well not so perfect and not so blissful, but one can only dream right?!  The kids got along fairly well, as well as to be expected I suppose.  We went to Disney World and other tourist spots in Florida and Washington State.

However, once we moved in all together, which was two years later, the Brady Bunch was long gone and then entered The Adams Family or maybe even any episode of Jerry Springer!!




Somehow we survived and recently our youngest joined his brothers to the Land of Freedom and moved out!  So now my husband and I are empty nesters, which probably will be another upcoming post!

All kidding aside our boys have turned into wonderful men and we are very proud of them.  Blending two families is difficult and maybe we weren't like The Brady Bunch but we love each other all the same.

Another 50 Questions Meme, Part One (perhaps!)

Welcome back to Sunday Stealing. Sunday Stealing originated on WTIT: The Blog authored by Bud Weiser. Here we will steal all types of memes from every corner of the blogosphere. Our promise to you is that we will work hard to find the most interesting and intelligent memes. You may have heard of the expression, “honor amongst thieves”. In that age-old tradition, we also have our rules. First, we always credit the blog that we stole it from and we will “fess up” to the blog owner where we stole the meme. We also provide a link to the victim's post. (It's our way of saying "Thanks!") We do sometimes edit the original meme, usually to make it more relevant to our global players, to challenge our players, sometimes to select that meme's best questions, or simply to make it less repetitive from either this new meme or recently asked questions from a prior featured meme. Let's go!

Today we ripped this meme of a blogger known as Nigel Vanstone at Away for a Bit. Nigel explains that he was tagged to do the meme, but does not credit the blogger. But, it was probably stolen there as well. So, of course, that will be as far as we go. Tracing back our theft's thieves might take some time. He promises to post the next 25 questions, soon. If he writes them by next Saturday, we will complete his meme. Link back to us at Sunday Stealing!

Cheers to all of us thieves!

Sunday Stealing: Another 50 Questions Meme, Part One (perhaps)

1. When you looked at yourself in the mirror today, what was the first thing you thought?

I wish I looked like I did 30 years ago.

2. How much cash do you have on you?

$20

3. What’s a word that rhymes with DOOR?

Amor

4. Favorite planet?
Earth

5. Who is the 4th person on your missed call list on your cell phone?

Unknown number with 410 area code

6. What is your favorite ring tone on your phone?

Club Mix

7. What shirt are you wearing?

PJ's

8. Do you label yourself?

Yes

9. Name the brand of the shoes you’re currently wearing?

Nike

10. Bright or Dark Room?

Dark

11. Did you do anything to celebrate John Lennon's 70th yesterday?

No

12. What does your watch look like?

Don't own one

13. What were you doing at midnight last night?

Sleeping

14. What did your last text message you received on your cell say?
The 25th is a Saturday.  That would be so much fun if the Navy and job will let you

15. Where is your nearest 7-11?

South Hill Puyallup, WA

16. What’s a word that you say a lot?

Baby

17. Who told you he/she loved you last?

It was in a dream that I had last night

18. Last furry thing you touched?

19. How many drugs have you done in the last three days?

None

20. How many rolls of film do you need developed?

3, I just found them in a drawer, they must be from years ago

21. Favorite age you have been so far?

17

22. Your worst enemy?

Me

23. What is your current desktop picture (extra points if you post it.)?

My three sons!

24. What was the last thing you said to someone?

Who was the love of your life?

25. If you had to choose between a million bucks or to be able to fly what would it be? 

A million dollars so I could buy a plane!

Sunday Stealing: The Time Traveler Meme

Today we ripped this meme of a blogger known as Emily Barton, the Queen 'o Memes at Telecommuter Talk. We were lucky to find this meme. Emily actually wrote it herself (when do we find that? We'd guess maybe once a year.) We have told Emily that we stole it but we've already been given permission. Emily wrote, "Are you reading this? Then the Queen has tagged you. Get on with it." Thanks, Your Majesty! Link back to us at Sunday Stealing!

Cheers to all of us thieves!

Sunday Stealing: The Time Traveler Meme
Emily's Rules:

1. Depending on your age, go back 10, 15, 20, or even more years.
2. Tell us how many years back you have traveled and why.
3. Pretend you have met yourself during that era, and tell us where you are.
4. You only have one "date" with this former self.
5. Answer these questions.

Okay, as we start, what year is it and how old are you?

It is 1968 and I am 10 years old, we are traveling for the first time to Puerto Rico, where we moved to five years later.  It will be the first time we fly on an airplane.  We flew with Eastern Airlines, and flying over the Bermuda Triangle terrified me. Seeing the island as we were flying in was awesome.  I could see the palm trees blowing in the wind and the ocean waves hitting the coast.

1. Would your younger self (YYS, from here) recognize you when you first meet? 

I think so since I look like my mom.

2. Would YYS be surprised to discover what you are doing job wise?

No I don't think so.  We all knew that I was supposed to be a nurse.  However, maybe my YYS would have wanted me to be the writer and painter I always wanted to be.

3. What piece of fashion advice would you give YYS?

It gets better, you won't have to wear Mom's handmade outfits for much longer and not to buy so many platform shoes!

4. What do you think YYS is most going to want to know? 

Who I married and how many children I have.

5. How would you answer YYS's question? 

I would tell her that I did marry and have children, but I wouldn't give any details.  I wouldn't tell her that we got divorced, or that our first daughter Alexandra Christine died at birth.  Although our marriage failed, my children are my life and I wouldn't want my YYS to miss out on meeting them. 

6. What would probably be the best thing to tell YYS? 

The life is a blast and not to miss out on anything.  To stop worrying and to continue writing and drawing.

7. What is something that you probably wouldn't tell YYS?

I wouldn't tell her that our mom died in 1993 of cancer.

8. What do you think will most surprise YYS about you?

That all my kids are grown and moved out and that we live in Seattle, WA.

9. What do you think will least surprise YYS? 

That I am a nurse.

10. At this point in your life, would YYS like to run into "you" from the future? 

I think so.