I haven’t done anything like this in a long time, so why not change it up? After all, variety is the spice of life blogging. Therefore today I’m answering 20 questions I found on View from the Back who got them from The Life And Travels Of Mrs Suvi.
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Your most memorable fancy dress costume?
• A few years ago I wore a purple cocktail dress with silver sparkly trim to a black-tie business event that was a horrible affair. I was physically and emotionally uncomfortable the whole evening: my dress was tight & my feet hurt while I was standing in a room filled with status-seeking people cursed with negative energy. I vowed to never do anything like it again– and I haven’t.
Which social media platform do you use the most?
• WordPress
Favourite season?
• Autumn
If you had to choose the beach or mountains, which would it be?
• I’d choose the beach because I like walking on sand, looking at the waves, searching for shells or driftwood, BUT I choose this with the proviso that I can visit the mountains whenever I want to.
What can you play very well?
• Candy Crush Soda Saga
What kind of cheese do you like?
• All non-stinky kinds
Life goal?
• To put things or ideas or people together. Metaphorically speaking I see puzzle pieces everywhere and want to make the picture whole. Or maybe I see tesserae everywhere and want to make my own mosaic. In either case I put things together.
How many cities have you lived in?
• I’ll answer this by defining cities as metropolitan regions, thus my answer is 8.
What language do you wish you could speak?
• Spanish
What can’t you stand?
• A mocking tone of voice. The idea that education is of no value. Green peppers.
If you have an hour to kill on your hands, what would you do?
• Depending on the situation I’d: go for a walk; read a book &/or some blogs; play a game on my phone; or become a lounge lizard watching the people go by.
Your favorite routine?
• I’d say it’s showing up to my blog at least once a week, usually on Tuesday, and talking with everyone in the comments. Like I’m doing now. *Hi!*
When do you become hyperactive?
• When I’m forced to travel by plane, often leaving the house before the break of day, I become hyperactive with worry about locking the house and all things related to the hassle at the airport. It makes me crazy until I’m sitting at my gate.
Text message or phone call?
• Text message
Your most precious treasure?
• I like things, but as for precious treasure I’m not sure any one thing would rate that designation. I mean, any thing I have can be replaced so how precious is it really?
Your latest foreign language mistake?
• I probably mispronounced some French word. The few I know trip me up when I try to say them.
What’s the best therapy for you?
• A glass of chilled dry white wine sipped while gazing into nature
If you could be a fictional character, who would you be?
• I rather liked Piper in Charmed. She could make a great meal, stop time in order to decide what to do next, and vanquish evil when necessary. Plus she married her true love. All-in-all, she’s my kind of badass.
Where would you like to travel?
• Dreaming big here: UK. Ireland. Italy. Hawaii. Australia. NZ. Vietnam. South Africa. Argentina.
Where did you meet your spouse/partner?
• We met in college. In fact, this past Valentine’s Day we received a card from our alma mater telling us that we are among about 2,000 couples who met on campus. Of course the Valentine’s Day card was also a solicitation for monies making the card less lovable, but the factoid was interesting.
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If you decide to do this on your own blog please link back to this post so I can go read what you wrote. Deal?
I’ve yet to meet a cheese I didn’t like…even the stinky kind. 🙂 Happy Tuesday!
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Jill, I’ll happily let you have all the stinky cheese to yourself. Never let it be said that I’m not generous.
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That was fun. Though the very first question would have tripped me up.
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Me too
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Dawn, maybe deep down inside you there’s an answer just waiting to be remembered! And if not, that’s okay, too.
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Janet, yes well, the event I attended was soooo awful that the answer came to me immediately upon reading the question. 😏
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I better get my vacation act together. And I agree the only “treasure’ in my life is you. Things can be replaced. I liked you answers, and I promise never to force you to another “formal gala” ever again (your having supplied more detail in your answer than the question required led me to that conclusion – tee-hee).
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Zen-Den, I’m sure we’ll get it in gear about vacations when the time is right. As for the formal gala, as you call it, it was a night to remember… and avoid ever again. Capiche
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I feel you, loud and clear.
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😎
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Great answers!
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You ask, I answer, Sheree. Thanks for sharing these questions.
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Pleasure Ally
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Clearly you need access to Tahiti, where you could have mountains and ocean and beach all at the same time.
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shoreacres, I hadn’t thought of that. Good suggestion. I trust there’ll be no formal events on Tahiti, so I can avoid wearing uncomfortable clothes and be in a positive atmosphere.
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Around here, “formal” often goes by the name “cruising casual,” and involves things like tee shirts with sparkly things on them.
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A sparkly t-shirt can be cute. I could wear one of those without feeling like I’d sold my soul to the devil. 😇
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I couldn’t resist. The first question triggered a memory of my fondest dress-up occasion – more elegant than my own wedding 🙂
https://mylifelivedfull.wordpress.com/2018/10/05/thirty-five-years/
I love reading these kinds of posts that give a glimpse into another’s life.
Cheese? Yes please. Even stinky ones 🙂
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Joanne, you look lovely in that dress. I love the lines of it and the color is good on you. Thanks for sharing the link here.
As for the stinky cheese, you’re going to have to wrestle with Jill for it. She likes it, too. May the best woman win.
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I fight hard for my cheese! 🙂
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Ha! May I quote you on that? 😜
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I’m willing to share 😉
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So kind, you are.
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I’ll share too…there’s enough stink cheese to go around. 🙂
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MORE than enough in my view…
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… and thankfully we’re in the minority so we won’t have to share with a lot of people 😉
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More cheese for us! 🙂
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I’ll bring the wine 🙂
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Oh good. I was hoping you’d offer. Thanks.
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😁🍷
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Me too!😉
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I’d love to know what the college couple divorce rate was…but just call me a romantic…
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LA, me too. That’s exactly what we wondered, too. Did this stat include wedded then divorced? Did it include widowed? It seemed like a random number tossed our way hoping to elicit funds from us. Just saying, in my charmingly cynical way.
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I love stats…and I just want the breakdown!
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I know what you mean. I took stats in grad school [not at this alma mater btw] and learned how easy it is to manipulate them… for good or evil. 🤔
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You got that right
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Aha, another Chardonnay gal!
😉
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Laura, yep– or Sauvignon Blanc. Anything NOT sweet works for me.
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Amen to that!
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*cheers*
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Love all your answers, especially the reminder that “memorable” doesn’t always mean “positively memorable.” Sometimes I feel like the only person who remembers the negative in my family. When certain siblings or ex-stepparents chime in with, ‘wasn’t that trip/ birthday awesome,” I become Cassandra of Troy, cursed to remind them of the accompanying horrors (only it’s a reminder of history, not a prophecy).
Sometimes I am envious of those who only remember the positive.
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AutumnAshbough, yes, yes, yes! I’m the same way. I remember things that were lousy as things that were lousy. I feel that’s how they deserve to be remembered. I don’t dwell on the negative but when asked about something I won’t sugarcoat it so you’ll feel better about what happened. Keeping it real, that’s me. 🙄
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It makes me very popular at reunion type events.
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I bet! Be true to yourself, eh? Haters gotta hate, no matter where you are. 🤨
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Nice and informative short rundown of the Ally Bean we may not be aware of.
We have a lot of similar answers Ms. Bean. Must be why I enjoy reading your blog so very much 😉
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Deb, that’s an interesting observation. I wonder if we all do eventually find each other in the blogosphere because we have so many overlapping answers to questions like these? It’s the sameness that connects us. 🤔
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I follow and learn from bloggers less like myself, but always turn to those who seem to be like-minded as my favorites!
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I do the same thing. I enjoy reading about how people live their lives, especially when it’s not at all how I do it. But there’s a comfort in those of us who hang together, so to speak.
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OK, Ally. Let’s sit on the beach, gazing at the mountains, while wearing sparkly t-shirts, eating cheese, and sipping chilled Chardonnay, while planning a trip to Hawaii were we will dazzle them all by ordering in both Spanish and perfectly pronounced French.
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Dorothy, YES! Let’s do that. I’m there with you. Great comment, btw. 😁
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Your favorite routine?
• I’d say it’s showing up to my blog at least once a week, usually on Tuesday, and talking with everyone in the comments. Like I’m doing now. *Hi!*
Your favorite routine?
• I love your favorite routine!!
Your most precious treasure?
• Would my dog count as a treasure? If not, then I would say The Mighty Benjamin Franklin, no doubt about that.
What’s the best therapy for you?
• I have several because I need a lot of therapy time! Sunshine would hit one on the top of my best list.
If you could be a fictional character, who would you be?
• I’m stuck on this one. I absolutely don’t know! You gave me something to pounder for today, Ally Bean.
I do think this would be a fun icebreaker when chatting with a new person, acquaintance, stranger… I will try to remember it.
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TD, I’m sure your dog would count as precious treasure. I like sunshine, too– but you can’t count on it shining around here. Especially in wintertime. You’re right that fictional character question is a good icebreaker. Good luck deciding who you are.
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True on Sunshine anywhere one lives, so it’s great to have several best therapies as back up plans.
Great on my treasure!
Have a fun day 😄
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I got it, Ally Bean!
I would be Dory, the blue reef fish — who has a really short memory! 🐟
Just keep swimming…
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Good one! I like it. 💙
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Hi, Ally – I enjoyed your answers and loved the sequel in Zen-Den’s reply. A very fun morning read. Thank you for shariing this!
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Donna, thanks for reading and commenting on this. Give it a go on your blog. It’s fun and an easy way to share who you are.
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Thanks, Ally – Richard and I are in the middle of painting/renovating — so no post from me for a while. I do have another (advanced written) Guest Post coming up. Thank goodness for those! 😀
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Best of luck with your projects. Sometimes real life gets in the way of blogging!
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Fun questions! I love the beach too, its my “Happy Place!” My husband and I have always wanted to go to Ireland, hoping that day will come! We would love to just travel the world, (If we didn’t need any money to do it!) 🙂
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joyroses13, I hear you. Traveling costs money and time and planning– but if it didn’t, think of the places we’d go. 🤔
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Exactly!! I want to go to Greece and Austria and Italy too. 😉
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Sounds wonderful. Can I join you when I hit the lotto numbers and win big?
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Sure thing! 😊
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Well, after reading that you don’t care for a mocking tone of voice… I am now very happy that communication here is through typed words only. Do they even make a mocking emoji? If they do, I’d love to include it with some of my comments…
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evilsquirrel13, I don’t know my emojis well enough to answer your question. I’d guess there’s one that indicates mocking. If you find it I’d use it sparingly, no telling who might take offense. Best to err on the side of kindness.
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I refuse to get into any brawls fighting over stinky cheese but I’ll take the Swiss please. I had a long elegant “granny dress” in the 70s. I enjoyed that and wore it as a Halloween costume decades later. Booking my flight to Tahiti!
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Kate, I like Swiss cheese, too– but I’m sure there’ll be plenty to share. A granny dress you say? I remember that look. Did you have a floppy-brimmed hat to go with it? And maybe Jesus sandals on your feet? No doubt you looked great then, and on Halloween, too. What a good use for an old dress.
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No hats. Never been a hat person. Sandals yep. I even had the old gladiator ones with leather ties that came up my calves.
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I love learning things about people – this is a great way to do it – your answers were great!! The last time I wore anything formal was at a Hamilton musical event in Denver. The dress was soooo big I am pretty sure I could have added a pole and turned it into a tent. I kept stepping on it going up and down the stairs. I almost broke my neck! It was classic. Dry white wine and cheese of ANY kind are my faves. I once took a french language emersion trip to Guadalupe where we took 4 days of French classes – we weren’t allowed to speak a lick of English. I asked the teacher if she had a boyfriend – at least I thought I did – turns out it was something about a sexual position. I wanted to die. lol. Ah, the joys of life 🙂
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Pam, I hesitate to do posts like this one but do so because they start conversations like no other posts do. There’s a topic for everyone in a post like this.
I love the image of you wearing a “tent” to a formal event. I mean not really wearing a tent, but I get what happened to you. Glad you didn’t fall.
A language immersion class sounds great in theory, but I’m sure I’d make some sort of embarrassing mistake, too. Did you ever read Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris? It was all about learning a language all at once. Very funny memoir.
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I actually learned a lot in the class and think it is one of the best ways to learn a language. We got lost driving to the airport and were able to navigate directions with the Avis counter! You should try it! It is very humbling I have to say. Of course I cannot speak a lick, given we didnt practice when we got home.
When Sean saw the dress, he was like, wow thats a lot of fabric. lol
I have not read the book but will add it to my reading list. It’s getting long. I have vowed to spend some time reading this week and limiting my social media.
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Ha! I’m laughing at “that’s a lot of fabric.” What a wonderful way to politely describe a dress. Happy reading. I need to follow your example on that.
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I wanted to be mad, but I knew he was right. lol. Have a great week AB 🙂
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I love the Valentine’s solicitation. Ha!!
Your travel wishlist is very similar to mine!!
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Katie, yes the card from the alma mater gave us pause. Seemed nice on the surface of it, but really kind of contrived in reality. Yes, I’d like to travel to those places, but maybe it’ll be armchair travel.
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I LOVE YOUR BLOGGGGGGGG.
I also love blog posts like these. I love writing them AND reading them.
As much as I love receiving comments, I am a horrible commenter. That’s not even a word. SEE? HORRIBLE.
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Writer McWriterson, I dunno. You seem to have no problem commenting, you got the words and know how to use them. On that note though, “commenter” isn’t a word? Is that right? I use it.
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Well according to my Grammarly, it isn’t. But what do they know? Grammarly isn’t even a word. 🙄
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Exactly! I say pish posh to that.
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Ireland and NZ are on my list too! I love Beechers cheese and Cougar Gold, both of which are sharp white cheddar and are native to my area. If you ever come through SeaTac airport, there’s a Beechers store there. I’ve gone away from wearing dresses, although I did wear one for my daughter’s wedding, and also for a Mormon friend’s funeral. Otherwise, I can mostly be found in casual clothes! I enjoy reading these kind of posts because they help me know you better. To me, that’s one of the goals of blogging.
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Margaret, I’m not familiar with either cheese you mention. Different regions, different cheeses. I rarely wear dresses either. I had to wear one to that awful event, but since then I’ve lived in less uncomfortable clothes and shoes.
It’s interesting that you mention you like these kinds of posts. I’m hesitant to do these, feeling they’re too self-centered to be of interest to others. But back in the day we did lots of lists like this, didn’t we? 🤔
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But… but… stinky cheese deserves to be loved as well.
And I have to laugh because I read your answer incorrectly on the fictional character.
I read, “She would make a great meal” and thought, damn. How hungry are you?
😉
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Rivergirl, well I tell you what, you can love all the stinky cheese you want… over on your side of the room. Your misreading of my answer is funny. Piper is a witch who is doing good, not one who tastes good.
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My alma mater finally quit bugging me after I moved to South Dakota and didn’t give them an updated address. Drastic times called for drastic measures!
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Swinged Cat, you make a good case for moving to SD. This is the first time our alma mater has tried to get money from us with a holiday greeting card. Sure we get letters, but this was sneakier. In some ways I gotta give it to the fundraising dept for coming up with a ploy like this one.
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Agreed. I like my donation requests highly visible, like the Salvation Army bell ringers. At least that way I can be mentally prepared.
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Precisely. This was unseemly behavior for an institution of higher learning.
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Pingback: Ally Bean's Twenty Questions – The Sound of One Hand Typing
I thought I pinged you back, but I guess not.
https://thesoundofonehandtyping.com/2020/02/18/ally-beans-twenty-questions/
My stepfather, God rest his soul, LOVED stinky cheese…
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John I think the ping worked, but nice of you to double check. In any case I’m glad you had fun answering the questions over on your blog.
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I am so with you on the first answer! I have been at that event and Was feeling those thoughts more than once during my career!
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Deb, yep. I don’t know what possessed me to say “yes” to going to an event like that one, but it was the last time I’ll do that. The trapped feeling was awful, as were most of the people I talked with. Zen-Den excluded of course.
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I picked out the romantic parts of your informative (Wheeee!) post. Apparently your college campus is doing a better job of matching up couples that last than eHarmony . . . or, Match.com
Solicitation? I’ve noticed some realtors send out “cards” on Thanksgiving instead of Christmas, perhaps to make them stand out. Huh?
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Marian, you raise a good point. We’re a match made based on no computer algorithms or speed dating events. We met the old-fashioned way, a girl down the hall in my dorm introduced me to the guy who she was studying with.
We get Thanksgiving cards from businesses now, too. I think it’s because controversy swirls around Christmas, but everyone still agrees on Thanksgiving. The business doesn’t want to potentially offend you with the *wrong* wording inside the Christmas card.
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Glad I chose today to drop in and see what you were up do. I’m with you on the gala stuff and for relaxing with wine and nature, although I like dry red mostly (except when it’s really hot in summer) and dark beer as well.
janet
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Janet, I could go for a glass of pinot noir, but I usually drink that in the winter when I’m more cocooned inside not outside sitting in nature.
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True. When we’re in Arizona, I imagine we’ll be drinking more whites and rosés, at least in the summer!
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Could be. Sometimes the temps tell you what to drink more than you telling yourself what you want to drink. [Makes sense?]
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I learned to appreciate rosé one year while visiting my s-i-l and b-i-l in Provence. It was so hot that all their wonderful reds didn’t even taste good. I quickly understood why everyone was drinking chilled rosé !!
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Now that’s the way to learn about a new-to-you wine. In France. In Provence. How lovely.
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They still live in France but closer to Germany and Switzerland. Different wines but still delish.
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It all sounds wonderful to me. Bring on the wine tasting. 🍷
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I agree!
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Great questions, and I loved your answers. Although I didn’t attend many dress-up occasions while I worked, I certainly don’t now that I’m retired. I do have a memorable fancy dress, though. Many years ago, I was charity store shopping with my mother-in-law (the queen of second hand) and tried on a sparkly dress priced at $15. It fit like a glove (back when that was a good thing) and even though I didn’t have an upcoming event, I had to have it. I wore it multiple times and always received compliments on it. Best $15 I ever spent.
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Janis, oh that’s a great story. It’s amazing sometimes how one outfit can be THE outfit you remember. And for $15! Good job with that one.
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I wish I had a picture of the dress (and my much younger, firmer body in it). Alas, I only have the memories.
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I know what you mean. I think back to when I was in good shape, wearing some cool clothes, and wonder why I never had someone snap a pic of me. Just didn’t do things like that then, I guess.
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I have the same post travel anxieties and end up spending hours double-checking everything. Luckily I’m married to someone who doesn’t mind getting to the airport early. Having worked at one time (when dinosaurs walked the earth) as a model, I hate getting dressed up.
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Jan, I’m glad to know I’m not the only one who finds getting to the airport anxiety-producing. Z-D just throws some things in a bag never worrying about a thing. How does that happen?
You were a model, you say. Now that’s something unique. It makes sense how for you getting dressed up is something you’ve left behind in a different life.
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Lol – should have pre travel and not post travel anxiety. I envy folks who just toss and go! Alas I might have been tall but I tend to mug in front of a camera and so I didn’t last very long! Plus I have this thing about eating!
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I knew what you meant. Eating is good. I think you made a good choice.
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Pingback: Twenty Questions – Ally Bean Style | sparksfromacombustiblemind
Here’s my contribution to a very interesting list of 20! http://sparksfromacombustiblemind.com/2020/02/18/twenty-questions-ally-bean-style/
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Thanks for doing this, Melanie. Just read your answers and left a comment for you on your blog. Fun questions, aren’t they?
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What can’t you stand?
• A mocking tone of voice. The idea that education is of no value. Green peppers.
In a world full of tripe, monkey’s brains, eel, rattlesnake, etc. . . . how did you decide to pick on a peck (or piece) of pickled (or unpicked) peppers? 😆
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Nancy, years ago I had my gallbladder removed and I can no longer digest green peppers. Red and yellow ones also. But the green ones turn up hidden in many veggie dishes so I especially don’t like them.
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Makes sense!
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Pingback: Twenty Questions – Julie Powell – Photographer & Graphic Artist
Here’s mine
https://pensitivity101.wordpress.com/2020/02/18/twenty-questions/
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pensitivity101, thanks for the link. I look forward to reading your answers.
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You’re welcome.
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Pingback: Twenty Questions | pensitivity101
I think I’m going to borrow this meme, as I am struggling to get into a routine writing again. Perhaps some prompts will help.
And although things are usually light with this sort of thing, I am afraid I’m going to be serious a moment.
I mean, any thing I have can be replaced so how precious is it really?
That’s the way I thought until I was burglarized last summer. For some things, it remained true. I didn’t care about the television or most of my camera equipment. Hell, they stole a broken camera. My binoculars only made me mad because I didn’t discover they were missing for a month or two afterward, when I wanted them for something.
I discovered that I couldn’t just replace jewelry. They gave me a fair settlement and had I wanted to spend all that money on jewelry that I really don’t wear that often, I could have physically replaced some. But while I could have bought pink topaz studs, they were my mother’s pink topaz studs and I couldn’t replace them. And I found, and bought, a garnet heart which was very close to the one my father bought me when I was, I think, 18, but it didn’t replace it. In the end, I bought a few things I will wear and I may pick up something interesting here and there in the future because I couldn’t replace my favorite jewelry at all since, well, I simply can’t find it. I even contacted the manufacturer of one piece and no, they don’t make them anymore and don’t have any in storage.
But those are things. A few months later I was trying to find Mom’s very old clutch style jewelry boxes and they were gone, along with Mom’s baby bracelet, a fancy (bot not working) checkbook pen that she got as a young woman, some odds and ends like a telephone brooch that I played with as a child. Absolutely none of it has any material value and absolutely none of it can be replaced. When I put the stuff back in the trunk, cleaning up after the swine, I hadn’t noticed they were gone.But it killed me later.
On the other hand. There were so many things that could never be replaced that they didn’t take. And they didn’t destroy things just because they could. Precious things like the china and dolls my mother made or her paintings. Or the shelves and cabinets my father made. I would have wanted to get them out of a burning building long before I cared about the jewelry. They can’t be replaced. The 6 boxes of photographs and slides and movies that I haven’t looked at since I got here – someday I will get around to sorting and scanning them. But I’m glad they’re still here.
And although it’s a small house, it took hours before my friends found my cats. No one knew if they’d run out while the burglars were there or what might have happened, but they came out from hiding eventually. They would come before those other irreplaceable things in case of fire.
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Zazzy, what a horrible experience for you with the burglary. I can imagine how overwhelming and confusing it would be to have that happen, then to realize some of things taken, while like you said of no monetary value, were things that meant something dear to you. And to have this realization roll on for months, well *meh*. Jewelry is always emotionally tricky to lose, whether stolen or when you lose it yourself.
Do you know why your house was the target of the attack? I don’t know if that knowledge would help me accept it better, but maybe. So sorry to read about this.
And by all means answer the questions on your blog if you want to. I agree that sometimes simple things like these questions can be the prompt you need to get going with your writing again.
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Pingback: 20 Questions – From Site to Site to Site to … – ❀ Welcome To LSS Attitude of Gratitude❀
Deal. Maybe I’ll want to do something fun soon.
I am aghast that you don’t like stinky cheese. In the event of your visit, I shall lay out the cheddar and Gouda and I promise, cocktail hour here is come as you are.
I totally relate to the travel hype, too. Except I’m like that EVERY SINGLE MORNING. Eek!
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joey, I’m sorry to disappoint you vis-à-vis my cheese preferences. But I cannot lie so I had to answer the question honestly. I do appreciate your willingness of overlook my cheesy transgression and that you peoples do the casual attire. Me too, no formal wear ever again.
Every morning you get hyper leaving the house? My condolences, but I get it. Oh yes I do.
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I like your answers Ally. The travel aspirations I have are similar to yours. I always thought all the French I took as a kid in Canada, then in college, would help me to be able to get around should I ever go to France. Ha! I couldn’t trill my Rs and it’s been since 1978 since I took that last class (conversational French where we were not permitted to speak English once we stepped inside the classroom). I remember very little of all that French and occasionally (very occasionally) I am able to decipher some tidbits of French in an article or book I’m reading, that’s about it.
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linda, I only know the words & phrases I know in French because my mother and her sister occasionally used them. They were more comfortable speaking the language, but me? I can read and sometimes decode French words on the page thanks to being an English Lit major in college. Lots of olde English is French language adjacent.
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Ally – my grandfather grew up in Quebec and insisted that the Parisienne French we learned in school was wrong and corrected me every time I tried to show him what I learned. I was young – we began learning French in grade school in Canada. I learned more in the class where we had to speak only French, but I rarely admit to studying French all those years as I might embarrass myself. I learned more about the English language by studying French, but at least we don’t have the masculine and feminine words to learn. A person learning English has to deal with the words which are similar but different meanings – that is tough. P.S. Hats off to you for understanding olde English – I never understood Beowulf even with CliffsNotes.
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Years ago I understood Olde English. Now? I doubt I could read more than two words of it. And that’s ok by me.
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As I was reading about your discomfort with the purple cocktail dress, it reminded me of what the actress who plays the Marvelous Mrs. Maisel recently said about her corset-related injuries and how she’s now struggling with deep breaths. Ouch. I’m writing this wearing sweats and thinking: Not. Worth. It. 🙂
Did the business dinner at least pay off business-wise?
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Endless Weekend, I wasn’t cinched in with a 1950s corset but with Spanx, the evil great grandchild of those old girdles. I had difficulty breathing but whether that was because of the dress or the toxic atmosphere in the room I dunno. As for the payoff regarding the business event… well, no in the moment, but yes in the long run.
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Interesting that that evil grandchild was birthed by a woman… the things we do to ourselves?
Have the benefits already materialized or are you still waiting for them? It could serve as comfort as you burn that evil garment? 🙂
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Oh this event was 5 years ago. The dress and accessories went directly to Goodwill. And the benefits are tangible, so all is well now.
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Lots of interesting tidbits here.
You do seem to put people together as well as ideas – look at all the fun here!
(I also vote for Mts close to a beach..)
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philmouse, thanks for joining in here. I like making sense of things, putting things together– more in the abstract theoretical way than the engineering perfectionist way. I mean, don’t ask me to pack the trunk of the car for a trip. Who knows how that stuff fits together! But give me ideas, people, furniture– and I’m good to go.
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What fun Ally Bean! I read it yesterday but responding only now .. VERRRRY glad to see that South Africa is on your list of things to do. We’ve got the beach just down the road, some beautiful mountains a little further away but in sight from the balcony, some EXCELLENT local wine and cheeses and much much more! So, what are you waiting for? Speak to Zen-Den and come! Comfortable accommodations here at my home also; private bedroom ensuite, leading out onto garden and pool … books galore ….
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Susan, you live in paradise. That’s what you’re telling me then. Sounds wonderful and should we ever get it together to travel overseas, I’m sure we’ll love South Africa.
Doing this list of questions was great fun because answering the questions took my mind in so many different directions. And my answers have started conversations that are going a lot of different directions, too. Didn’t anticipate that.
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Love your vacation destinations. Can’t wait to read about them!! Get going! 😉
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The Travel Architect, if we go to any of them it’ll be via armchair travel, but sure I might read & review a travel book at some point. That could happen. 🤓
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Send me money and I’ll go for you. I’ll bring a life-size cardboard cutout of you and take pictures at all the best places. It’ll be like you were really there!
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That’s an idea, sure. Wasn’t there something like Flat Stanley who travelled the world being photographed? I vaguely remember that. I could be Flat Ally.
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It’s so fun to read your mosaic-like answers – your thoughts are a puzzle full of delight! Cheers to you and all the pauses in life that make you go “Hmm … that’s interesting, what’s the word in French/Spanish/American for a stranger in the grocery who doesn’t know his veggies or why do people dress up in uncomfortable clothes anyhow, we must be able to breathe to enjoy our food?” Your sense of humor always makes me smile. I wish I had time to spare to answer your questions and join in on the fun – I trust my random comment here will suffice this round, eh?
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Shelley, great comment! Nice wordplay. No one is obligated to do these questions on their blog, but keep them in mind. I’ve been amazed by who has latched onto these questions and how insightful their answers have been. Very fun. 🤔
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Thanks, Ally! I can just invision you sipping on coffee or maybe that delightful white wine – nodding and making connections and smiling as you form a clever reply to all the comments you get on your posts. I’d love to be a mouse in the corner admiring your intuition in action. On second thought mice are creepy …
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How about you be a house cat? They’re curious and lovable. There’s a lounge chair in this room where you can curl up in style. Snooze a little, snoop a little. It’ll be great.
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A much better idea – and I bet you’d share some snacks if I got hungry too!?
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Oh, of course. There’d be lots of non-stinky cheese for both of us.
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Perfect – I don’t like the stinky cheeses either!
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Then it’ll be 🍷+🧀 for us.
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Perfect! See you at 6 pm – TGIF!!! 😉
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I enjoyed your answers, Ally! I’m with you on the non-stinky cheese! I also am a texter by choice, though I have a phone conversation with my parents every week because they wouldn’t text to save their lives. 😀
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L. Marie, the cheese question has been one of the most controversial among my commenters. I find that hilarious. If you’re looking for something to use on your blog and you want to get a wide assortment of comments, this is the ticket. People gots lots to say about my answers, their answers… life. 😊
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Hi ally – I might try and do these questions later on my blog (doesn’t seem to be a time requirement)
And my fav Thing you said was how some folks don’t see the value in education. – whew – a trend with some groups is to dismiss education and especially higher ed.
I know this is not new – the rich dad poor dad books from decades ago purported that education is not a good path to making money and only presented one side or a very narrow view!
Don’t want to ramble – but education is not only about earnings and income – it is about being sculpted and chiseled and improved from the process – bringing this new version of self to the world that Makes society better!!
And that reminds me of how you said precious things can all be replaced – hear, hear! Stuff comes and goes – but relationships and experiences fill
Us and linger. And education also stays with us – when fancy cars and houses can be fleeting – a degree is lifelong to be enjoyed in many ways!
—
And wishing you a good day amiga
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Yvette, my late mother always said that a college degree is the one thing no one can take away from you. Once you’ve earned it, you’ve got it. I agree wholeheartedly with you about how higher education does more than fill your mind/get you a job, it shows you a way to understand the world and improve yourself.
Therein is the fly in the ointment though; some people don’t want to make the effort to improve themselves and resent those who do so. I’ve been on the receiving end of that distain a few times, this being a conservative part of the country you know.
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Yeah – I do know
And my pet peeve is how expensive the everyday state schools have become –
I don’t mind big state schools or fancy colleges being expensive – but the local
College and stat universities are so over priced and I think that is why some
Folks walk away – they can’t see the rerun on investment even if we do try and tell them about intrinsic and soul satisfying stuff
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You’re right about all of this. I don’t blame people for not wanting to get up to their eyeballs in debt in order to earn a degree that may, or may not, help them make money in the future. Granted we know there’s more to the college experience than just learning stuff out of books, but many people can’t grasp the value of that so they dismiss the idea of college entirely. Seems sad to me.
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Agree
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Hi Ally, Intriguing answer on your life goal. I am happy about your favourite routine. You are a kindred “spirit” on the best therapy. A fun post!
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Erica/Erika, I had fun writing my answers to these questions. I used to do things like this often, but got away from it, although I don’t know why. My life goal has always been what I wrote here. When I focus on it, it seems to guide me to make good decisions. The next time I get the chance to have a therapy session, I’ll toast you, my kindred spirit. Feel free to do answer these questions on your blog if you’re looking for something to do.
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