lalalalala, memememe Do Re Me....

Don't worry, I won't sing, It’s meme time. And not to be called a slacker, I have decided to not only do one, but two meme’s today. So I guess this is a memememe. The first one is from Kat from Heart2Heart blog. It is pretty easy. I just asked for 5 words and I am supposed to expound on them a bit.

Here are the five words that Kat gave me:

1. Love.
Love is one of those things that’s very hard to explain because it means different things to different people. I think it is a necessity in life and falls right in there with oxygen, food and water. Hey that would make a great song; Love is like Oxygen, you get too much you get too high, not enough and your gonna die. Ok, been done already.

2. Happiness.
I think the secret to happiness is to be satisfied with what you have. If you are looking for equality in this world you aren’t going to find it. Someone will always have more than you or something that seems better than you. The grass will always look greener on the other side. The secret is to quit looking over the fence and to make the most of what is in your pasture.

3. Work.
I am a workaholic. I have been working since I was 15. My first job was mowing lawns. I used to get 5 dollars to mow someone’s lawn. It was a huge one acre lot. The elderly woman only wanted it cut once a month so the grass was usually about a foot tall when it came time to mow it. I don’t think she had much money. I would mow, rake, edge the driveway, pull a few weeds and sweep the driveway all for 5 dollars. It usually took me about two to three hours to do all that. Afterwards, she would insist that I sit and cool off while she went to get my money. She would then offer me a soda which I always accepted. It was always a Fresca. Why did they ever change that recipe? Anywhoo, while I drank it she would talk and talk about all kinds of things. I think she was just lonely and needed someone to talk to. I know she had family but I never saw any of them visit her.

4. History
I have a confession. History was always my worst subject. I never saw much use in studying the past when there is nothing you can do about it. Of course later in life I heard; if you forget history you are destined to repeat it. I forget who said that though. When I was in the Navy and visiting Italy, we were offered a free tour of Pompeii. However since I slept through history classes, I didn’t know what Pompeii was so I passed on the tour. Oh well nothing I can do about that now…It’s history.

5. Inspiration
I must be easily inspired. I like little reminders around me to keep me inspired. Here are the ones that are in my office right now.

A little plaque that I got from Edie that has Genesis 2:15 on it.

A willie Nelson poster that says; Whatever happened to Peace on Earth?

A calendar photo of the Grand Canyon

An American Flag

A thank you Plaque from the Fort Johnson Baptist Ladies Softball Team.

Photos of children with cancer from Camp Happy Days.

A Weight Watchers water cup that isn’t being used at the moment. I only mention it because as I was looking around the room I saw it and at the same time a commercial came on the radio for Weight Watchers. Spooky.

Ok on to the next meme. It comes from Lid over at Second Cup of Coffee blog. It’s called the Random Dozen post. You simply answer the 12 random questions. Here are the questions with my answers:

1. Which is worse: a long, boring meeting or standing in a return/exchange line after Christmas? My wife will vouch for me on this one. I hate doing exchanges. I will regift before I return.

2. Except for maybe Rosie O'Donnell or Ann Coulter, nobody likes confrontation, yet we all have to deal with it. When you feel cornered and defensive, do you "bite back" or become passive aggressive? Neither. I let them have their say and then I subtly get even. They won’t even know it is me.

3. Do you know anything about your genealogical background? (What country, culture, ties to prominent historical figures, or other stuff.) Yes I do. One of my ancestors came over on the Mayflower. That’s the good news. The bad news is he was an indentured servant. Oh the shame of it all.

4. What is the quickest way a person can endear him/herself to you? Just say thank you.

5. Cake, pie, cookies, or ice cream? (Note there is no "all of the above" option. You must choose one. Feel free to elaborate on flavor or memories tied to this dessert.) If you'd like, you can share a recipe, but you certainly don't have to. Homemade peach ice cream. That’s the best.

6. Females: Do you regularly change your handbag to coordinate with your outfit? No but I would if I did.

7. Are you task-oriented or relationship-oriented? I am not oriented. I am American. Wait that’s Oriental. Sorry, my bad.

8. IHOP, Bob Evans or Cracker Barrel? This is a toughie. What happened to Shoneys? I will say IHOP.

9. Have you ever left a movie in progress in a theater? Why? Almost. The first time I saw Gone With the Wind, when it got to the intermission, I stood up and started to leave. Then my friends asked where I was going and I had to admit that I thought the movie was over. They laughed at me but Frankly my Dear, I don’t…..

10. What is one area of life in which you would like to develop more discipline or organization? Blogging. I am all over the place with my blogs.

11. Was middle school fun or painful?
Ahem. When I went to school we had Grade School, Junior High and Senior High. So I will go with Middle school. It was very painful for me. I was overweight and I got picked on every day. The IT kids played tricks on me continuously. And because I was dying to have friend (and had none) I fell for their tricks all the time. My worst memory was the day I got attacked on my way home by a group of boys that were in my class. As I was riding my bike home, I passed a group of black students. One of them picked up a rock about the size of a baseball and threw it at me and hit me in the head, knocking me off my bicycle. My books and trumpet were scattered all over the road but because I wasn’t popular, no one stopped to help me. I struggled to gather my stuff with blood running down from my head. As the boys caught up with me, they laughed at me, called me names, spit on me, hit me, and kicked my stuff all around and then went on. After I got my things picked up, I took a longer way home just so I didn’t have to pass them again. Painful enough?

12. What is your favorite Fall beverage? It’s the same all through the year….Coffee.

And that’s the truth, Have a Great day,
Greg

Comments

Heidi said…
I'm actually going to return later to read this post. I came over here to get you to bring you over to my blog. I am having a plant problem.
Thanks.
My ADHD Me said…
"The secret is to quit looking over the fence and to make the most of what is in your pasture"...I LOVE that!

Fresca-Showing out age. I think it is on the isle next to the Tab.
I bet that lady looked forward to your visits. It was so kind of you to stay and chat.

I really enjoyed your insight on those words.

Meme #2-

#2- Kill them with kindness!

#7- WAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

#11- Kids can be HORRIBLE! I hated middle school too. Lets blame it on our mother!
Heart2Heart said…
Greg,

Thank you for the sit down and get to know you visit today! I too, remember Fresca, it was like a mixture of grapefruit soda and sprite mixed together. I remember RC Cola's too!

Just reading about your middle school experience makes me realize it is still happening all over our schools and it isn't getting any better. Hopefully now a days, I would like to believe kids would stop and help or even defend you.

Thank you once again for taking the time to share all these insights with all of us.

Love and Hugs ~ Kat
Great Post Greg!

I liked reading all of your answers and have to admit, that I was an IT kid but never threw rocks at anyone and then hit them and kicked them. I just hung out with the more popular kids.

(Secret) I did get suspended from Jr. High not for fighting, but for shooting staples across the room at a cork board trying to get them to stick and accidentally hit the teacher. Can you say OOPS!
Heidi said…
Greg, thanks for the straight forward Bonsai advice today. I am not moving it.

I enjoyed reading your lists here. I tried to participate in Lid's meme, but I couldn't figure out how to get the questions on my post w/o copying them down on a piece of paper, then retyping them on my post w/the answers. Since it was already 1 a.m. when I was thinking I'd participate, I gave up in exhaustion. Then, I found I could copy and paste from her blog to mine. What? I didn't know someone could copy your text off your blog and paste it somewhere else. I just didn't think that would work- I don't know why.

So, maybe next time. I hate it that you got beat up in middle school. I did not like middle school either. I loved Fresca though- my favorite back in the day when I could actually drink soda w/o feeling bloated and gassy. OOps, TMI. Sorry.

I do have a problem with the greener grass on the other side and am always doing those mental gymnastics to convince myself that my life is great right where I am and without paint on my bathroom wall, too.
B His Girl said…
Those boys had no idea who they hit with that rock! What a hard worker you were/are!
2 turtles crossing : )
Anonymous said…
LOVE your answer for #2. Very ninja-like. :)

#7 LOL!!!
Your answers made me laugh. Except #11. That really stinks.
sara said…
#2 was great: They won’t even know it is me......love.it!

so you're not oriental?

great post today!
larkswing said…
Fun post! Great answers :)
I didn't figure you to wait in return lines!

Um, I think number two is actually passive-aggresive.

#3: really interesting.

#9: made me laugh

#11: almost made me cry. I don't even know what to say except that I'm appreciative of the way you have rallied in your life because you are obviously a man to be envied in many, many ways. Thanks for jumping on board, Greg!
Melli said…
LOL! #2... isn't that like the HIGHEST form of passive aggressive? I love it! They'll never even know it was me. hehehe! But after reading about the SADNESS of your Junior High (which is really what I had to) days, no WONDER you take that route! OW! Kids can be so cruel.
Terri Tiffany said…
So you were a trumpet player? So was my husband--he went into the Marine Corp and played it there.
You make me feel so sad for you as a boy:( Hey, I would have been your friend for sure.
A fellow coffeeier!!!

Middle school and bullys, man. I had it in high school.

Kat gave me a list too, gotta work on it this weekend....I'll try not to plagerize, LOL!!
Love the regifting and GWTW answers! My Random Dozen is up now.
Edie said…
"The secret is to quit looking over the fence and to make the most of what is in your pasture." This is great. I will have to add it to my favorite quotes list on my sidebar.

I'm thrilled that the little magnet makes a difference in your day. I know it's God's Word that makes the difference, I'm just glad He gave me the task. Thanks for sharing that. :)

We had Elementary School, Jr High, and Sr High. Jr High was very hard on me too. I was once egged by a guy that I liked and a couple of his friends. They were given eggs by my best friend. Rejection is an incredibly painful thing to bear, especially when people go out of their way to let you know.

You are well liked and much appreciated Greg.
Edie said…
Oh yea, I've got $5 if you wanna mow, edge, and weed my yard. I'll even give you a soda and some conversation. :)
Darla said…
i enjoyed your memes much too much...except for the middle school story. however, i like hearing those stories only because they make me think about how alot of kids are treated. i hope to never be an IT kid OR a meanie. and i hope my kids won't either. thanks for sharing that.
#7 -- too funny, Greg!! :)
Wow...okay, you're gonna have to split these up the future because I can't remember everything I wanted to say now!

Fresca rocks. Especially when you mix it with cranberry juice. Yum.

Your secret to life and making the most out of what is in your pasture...priceless.

LOVE your take on History! I was the same way with History until I started teaching it to my kids. All of a sudden it makes sense to me now and I love it!

I can't believe you missed Pompeii. On purpose. Ugh...

"They won't even know it's me" made me laugh. Ha ha!

#9 made me laugh OUT LOUD

#11 made me want to cry. People (not just kids) can be so mean. Bravo for rising above and seeing what God intended instead of what those insecure brats saw.

Oh, sorry, did I say that out loud?

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