Tag!

I was tagged by Latree at Dandelion!

These are the rules :
1. Link to the person that tagged you and post the rules on your blog.
2. A. Share 5 random and/or weird facts about yourself on your blog; or
B. Share the 5 top places on your “want to see or want to see again” list; or C. Share 5 things you never pictured being in your future when you were 25 years old.
3. Tag a minimum of 5, maximum of 10 random people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs.
4. Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.
The tagees have a choice of which they want to do.
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Here are five places on my “want to see” or “want to see again” list, in no particular order.

1. Hamilton Pool and Natural Preserve, Hill Country near Lake Travis, Texas is breathtakingly beautiful, peaceful, and has the only real waterfall I am likely ever to see in my lifetime. There are also awesome nature trails and places to relax. This is a “see again” place.

2. Cozumel is on my list of “see again” places. The laid-back culture, the beaches, snorkeling, dining, and relaxing all appeal to me. Plus, that is where we honeymooned.

3. Italy is on my and my husband’s “bucket list” – you know, the things you gotta do before you kick the bucket! The food, wine, history, art, architecture, and thermal springs are all fascinating.

4. New York City is also on my “want to see” list. The lights, shows, boutiques, restaurants, monuments, Ground Zero, the Brooklyn Bridge, 42nd Street, and even Central Park are attractions.

5. The last place on my “want to see” list is Greece. Unfortunately, I can’t interest hubby in this one. He’s not a fan of Greek food, but I think it’s delightful. There is history and art combined in architecture. The Parthenon, The Acropolis, the temples, and other monuments, not to mention the natural beauty of the surroundings, all contribute to why I would like to visit Greece someday.

I am going to tag Natalie at State of Confusion, Paige at Superpaige's Pad, Jenn at And Then There Were Four, Cynthia at Springmont Cottage, Penelope Anne at The Cafe at the End of the Universe, Jen at Jen's Humble Opinion 2, HolleeAnn at The Vasquez 3, and Lucy at LuLu's Petals and Kellan at On the Upside. Click their blog names to visit their blogs and see why I chose these particular super-ladies!

Treasure on the Island (for Writer's Island)

The topic at Writer's Island this week is "Treasure."

A rogue, a desperado, a buccaneer…
Jean Baptiste LaFitte, Prince of Pirates;
Legend proclaims him the Terror of the Gulf,
From New Orleans to Galveston,
And all points in between.

On the beaches of Galveston Island at Campeche,
Near the haven of Maison Rouge.
Legend whispers of long-forgotten treasures buried deep.
OH! to discover the prize within those grains of sand
Perhaps not washed away with the tide.

Trinkets and beads,
Tarnished golden coins,
long forgotten spices,
genuine silver utensils,
swords of foes who met an ill fate,
rings, pendants, and ivory broaches.
rubies and sapphires and jewels of all types.

Legend says that these are the treasures he left behind.

To see what others are writing about "treasure," click here.

Menu Plan Monday

Thank you, Organizing Junkie, for letting us link up to you for Menu Plan Monday. I get meal ideas, and since we get to see how others are planning their meals, it prompts new ideas. Most important, it forces us to plan ahead and organize our week. Thanks!

Monday - Large pasta shells stuffed with cheese and swimming in Classico Vodka Marinara Sauce with a sprinkling of grated mozarella on top; tossed salad.

Tuesday - Busy day chicken rice casserole served with green beans and bread and butter. (click name of dish for simple recipe.)

Wednesday - Light chicken stuffed with cheese and brocolli, angel hair pasta, and corn.

Thursday - Guys night out. This week, the kids and I will probably go to The Fish Place.

Friday - Traditional New York style pizza, baked fresh, flash frozen, and shipped to us in Texas. It'll be our first try with this.

Saturday - "Date" night for me and hubby. Who knows where we'll end up?

Have a great week everyone!

For more Menu Plan Monday, click here!

The Date - for Sunday Scribblings

The Topic for this week’s Sunday Scribblings is “The Date”
You can either write about an actual date (blind or otherwise) or about a particular date or a due date or a deadline or the best day of your life or the day that changed your life (or if you feel cheeky you could write about the date that is a food.) Several dates came to mind. Read on to see which one I chose.

My first NON date with my husband of the last three years (we were too scared to call it a date) was January 10, 2002. I’ll save that for another post.

The date that devastated my life was October 10, 2004 when my father passed away suddenly and unexpectedly at the young age of 69. I have written about that date at least twice, once recently, and I don’t think I can [emotionally] visit that topic again right now. But I linked up to my 2 Sunday Scribblings in which I did speak about that date. Click the word "twice" or the words "once recently" to read those posts.

However, on a lighter note, my son and I found ourselves the only two people (in a household of six) home for dinner this Friday night, so I decided to make it our “date night.” Yes, he’s only 11, but he will eventually date, and I wanted him to see how a date goes and make sure he knows how to treat a lady properly. He opened doors for me, he was pleasant and agreeable, and he even filled the drinks and brought them to the table for me. We had a nice steak and potato dinner at Tony's barbecue.

After dinner, we hit the mall. He’s been wanting a cover for his cell phone. We picked one out then browsed the mall at bit. He even let me go in Build-a-Bear. When we left the mall, he agreed to go to Borders with me to look for some books. He continued to open doors and say please and thank you the entire night. When we got home, I got a good-night hug thanking me for the date. Then he kindly let me retreat to the solitarity of the master bath to take a long, peaceful, hot soak in my moisturizing detox rocks from Bath Junkie. I think I’m teaching him well, don’t you?

To see how others responded to “The Date,” click here.

Friday's Feast #5

Appetizer

What is your middle name? Would you change any of your names if you could? If so, what would you like to be called?

My middle name is Lynn. If I could change my first name, I would choose Paige, Olivia, Adrianna, or Lilly.

Soup

If you were a fashion designer, which fabrics, colors, and styles would you probably use the most?

I would use soft fabrics such as chenille, cashmere, rayon, or a soft cotton/poly blend. My styles would have simple lines, no frills or ruffles, nothing too plunging in the front. My favorite colors are rich brown, teal, black, light pink, taupe, forest green, and burgundy.

Salad

What is your least favorite chore, and why?

That’s a tough one. I dislike grocery shopping – I don’t know why! And packing lunches for school. I’d rather clean the toilet!

Main Course

What is something that really frightens you, and can you trace it back to an event in your life?

I am frightened of snakes. When I was very young, we lived in a new house in an area that was still being developed. One day, a long, black snake curled his way up the birdhouse pole on his way for some lunch. At first, it looked like a black garden hose, and apparently we had one of those. But a few minutes later, it was in a different position. Needless to say, it was a snake, and a very long one at that, and the neighbors had to come kill it since my dad wasn’t home. I also remember walking down the trail at BlueBird camp and seeing a snake (albeit a ribbon snake) right by my leg, poised and tongue flicking. I hate snakes!

I also fear rejection, but I won’t get into the hows and whys of that one. This would be toooooo long!

Dessert

Where are you sitting right now? Name 3 things you can see at this moment.

I am sitting at a glass-topped computer table at the back of my living room. I can see a telephone, a computer speaker, a water cup, and a pencil cup in my peripheral vision at this moment. Not too exciting! But I’m glad to be back at the feast! I just couldn’t answer last week’s questions. Too emotional for me at the time.

Feel free to join in the merry-making at Friday's Feast!