Games | adjustingyourfocus

No, I’m not gonna tag you, I’m just gonna tag along with this game that I’ve been tagged in, by my friend, Lorely, but I’ll only answer the questions, since I’ve already played this game a couple o’ times. If that’s ok with you. I do not want to forward and get shot with that cyber rubber band again. That left a mark last time!

1. Looking back, which author did you most love in that transition between childhood and becoming an adult?

There are many authors I love from that time period (another era!), but I’d have to say Lucy Maud Montgomery was my favorite, and is still one of my favorites. I adore Anne of Green Gables, and I cannot tell you enough how much I saw myself as her. I wanted to be her. I know there are many others I admire from that youthful time, but Ms. Montgomery is the first lady I thought of.

2. Which 5 plants or species would you always want growing in your garden (or hypothetical garden).

You didn’t say what kind of garden, so I’ll pick from different gardens, if that’s alright: (a) Aloe; (b) Blueberries; (c) Strawberries; (d) Tomatoes; (e) Legumes

3. What would you try to save if the house went up in flames and you knew all the people and animals were safely out?

Well, my Bible is replaceable and you can find those in every bookstore, so I’d have to say my photographs. Those are some of my most prized possessions and they are not replaceable. I wish I had time to put them all on flash drives, so all I’d have to do is grab the box of flashdrives and save ALL my photos. I can’t tell you how many photo albums, scrapbooks and boxes of photos I have, plus some are only on my computer and a few are on flashdrive. I need to get busy!

4. Which country/city in the world (that you have never been to) would you most like to visit and why?

Paris, France and somewhere in Hawaii. I’ve always wanted to see Paris, and Hallie talks about it all the time, too. I’ve wanted to visit Hawaii as long as I can remember. Both are beautiful and they seem like a dream. Disney was a dream all my life, until I finally got to go in 2007. Best vacation of my life, thus far. And a dream come true.

5. What’s the number one favorite piece of music/song you would take to your desert island?

Probably not what you’d expect. Ok, the first thing that came to mind was the silly songs Hallie made up when she was younger. I have her singing on tape. She’s always been creative with making up stories and songs and whenever I listen to them, they make me smile and laugh and it’s good medicine. I listen to the tapes when she’s away at her dad’s or on a trip without me and I’m missing her. It always makes me feel better.

6. Do you read using a Kindle or would you if you could?

I’m not sure. I mean, I’m sure I don’t have a Kindle, but Hallie does. I’m not sure if I’d use it. I like the idea of the compactness of it and how 1000′s of books can be stored on it, so I’d probably use it some. But, I’d still like to read actual books, hold them in my hand, visit the bookstore and library and smell the books. I LOVE that OLD book smell. And there’s just something about holding a book in your hands, ya know?

7. What individual item of food would you not eat, even if it was served to you at the Queen/President’s dinner table? (Something ordinary, we’re not talking about sheep’s eyeballs here!)

English peas. I love them in Campbell’s Split Pea Soup with ham and bacon, and I love the green legumes, but I detest English peas by themselves as a serving. Or red beans and rice. YUCK! Cannot stand red beans! Nasty! I’m not fond of green beans, but I can force myself to eat those. Oh, or beets! I will be sick if those are placed in front of me. I’d say BEETS are the worst!

8. If you found an unexpected $20 in the bottom of your coat pocket, what would you spend it on – books, wine, plants, clothes, bills…?

Hmmm…. I’d have to say bills or a new blouse. I need some new clothes. I’m not good about buying myself new clothes. I bought a couple of new blouses and a pair of nice slacks the other day, but before that, it’s probably been at least a year or longer since I bought myself anything new. I buy Hallie all the clothes. Plus, her dad gives her money to buy clothes when he knows we are going shopping. He’s pretty sweet about that.

9. If your car could be any color you want, what color would it be?

Well, mine is a stormy blue, and that’s her name, ‘Stormy Blue’. I’d keep that color or I’d have a nice calm shade of green, like a meadow green or sage, sort of a soft green with a little blue mixed in.

10. Looking back, what do you most regret not buying (no matter how big or small)

Hmmm… Gotta think about that one. I really can’t think of anything right now.

11. Do you still have your childhood teddy bear? If so, what is he/she called?

I don’t remember having a teddy bear. I got a little stuffed doggie when I was three or five years old. I was sick and Mama bought me this little peach dog with brown ears. He made me well. For years, he’s caught my germs, my tears, my love, heard all my secrets, and yes, I still have him. He is Peaches, the Wonderdog! I will keep him forever. You cannot take him from me.

And, with that, I will leave you with one more hiking picture and a plethora of them tomorrow.

Aw, man! Posting this picture reminds me… Ya know, I remember standing in this particular spot. I remember so vividly, because not only was it an amazing hike to get here, and the beauty of my surroundings took my breath away, but I so well remember the fresh fragrance of juniper. Oh, it was delicious! The reason this is a big deal for me is because livin’ down in Mississippi, the humidity has killed my sniffer. My sense of smell just pretty much sucks for the most part. But when I travel to somewhere where there’s very little to zero humidity, my smeller works! And it’s just very cool to me. It’s really the little things, ya know?

Hope y’all had an awesomely beautiful day! *hug*

-Carol

Day 67 of my Project 366

My dear friend, Sophia, sent me this game after my friend, Alyson, sent me the same one, just with different questions, so I thought I’d just take the new questions and answer those, because if I send this out again, folks may shoot me with a cyber rubber band. So, here we go:

1. Name one important lesson you’ve learned in life.

(a) Children can teach you more than you can ever teach them. They are born with an innocent wisdom that is straight from God.

(b) Forgiveness for others is more of a gift you give yourself. It is freedom. It lightens your load and you will never fully understand it until you do it, let go, and then let it seep into your soul.

2. Who or what inspires you?

(a) My daughter, Hallie, inspires me every day to improve upon my parenting skills, to be kinder, gentler, more understanding, more patient, more compassionate. I want to be like her. She makes me want to be a better person.

(b) The beauty of the world around me is inspiring. I want to go everywhere, taking pictures. I want to see the world and capture it’s beauty and share it with everyone, so everyone can have beauty in their life every day.

(c) When I’m not sabotaging my efforts, I love to write. When I find the confidence and patience with myself to pick up where I left off and begin again with it, it gives me a great rush of inspiration.

3. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?

Oh, there are sooo many places. The top three are (a) Paris, France; (b) Hawaii; and (c) back to Disney with a day at Universal Studios and Harry Potter Themepark, and a day swimming with the dolphins. All of these places and more, traveling with, of course, my favorite two peeps in the world: Hallie and Mama.

4. Name a movie title for the story of your life.

…I got nothin’. Never thought about it. I’d have to think long and hard on this one.

5. What was your favorite toy as a kid?

Actually, I had a couple. My dolls were my babies. I’d sing to them, read to them, teach them, talk to them like they were my children. Baby Lisa was my favorite, and then Patty. I still have them. Also, a stuffed little dog I received as a gift when I was sick, Peaches the Wonder Dog. He made me well. I still have him, too. Oh, and, of course, one year for Christmas, Santa brought me the Barbie Townhouse I wanted like all year long. Ya know, the one with the elevator that you pull up and down with a string? Very cool. And I was happy with just that one present. When Mama asked me, “Aren’t you going to open your other presents?” I said, “I got more?!” I was content with the one. Then, to open the Barbie Summer House just sent me into shock overload. ;D

6. If you can be a Disney character, who would you be?

Tinkerbelle, I think. She’s small, cute, and sassy. I’m very tall and wouldn’t mind being a bit shorter, cuter, and more sassy, although I can be sassy from time-to-time. She can fly anywhere, sprinkle dust and allow others to fly off with her to Neverland. That would be pretty cool.

7. If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would do?

Take 10% of that, and split it three ways: one part to Batson Children’s Hospital (local children’s hospital), second part to abused and neglected children, third part to abused and neglected animals. I’d then send a large chunk to help out with rebuilding efforts, due to the destruction of caused by the tornadoes that ripped apart victims’ homes in the South and Midwest. Then, I’d have to sit down and strategize what I’d do next. I do see trips to Paris and Hawaii in my future. And Disney again, Universal Studios…

8. Have you ever had something happen to you that you thought was bad but it turned out to be for the best?

Yes, my marriage. After I said, “I Do,” several instances transpired to cause me to believe the marriage was a huge mistake. Six months later, I was pregnant with Hallie, and for the first time in my life, I felt I had a purpose, and everything after that became awesome, aside from the marriage, which ended shortly thereafter. I’d marry him a million times again, just to get her. She’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me and I’m blessed to know her. Some people are just not cut out for marriage and I think I’m one of those people.

9. What is something you learned last week?

That my inexpensive digital camera is not as bad as I thought, and I’m not too bad at photography, after all. A media company asked if they could have permission to use one of my photographs in a website design for their client. It’s so cool and a little weird, but I’m on cloud 9 about it. It’s the Arizona sunset photo in the background, with my name at the bottom and link to my blog. How weird is that?! But how fun!!! www.davidbushmanforcongress.com (Update: that site is closed now, but here’s a copy of the mock-up):