Our house rule is if you want something done a certain way then YOU do it. I've had to learn to let go of some things (like how to fold laundry) but it can be hard too :) Biggest phobia: Ground wasps, those buggers are vicious! Hairstyle and hair color in the 80's: Long and straight, it just won't curl...sigh. First car: A maroon 1971 Granada with one gold door andhood. It sat 7 comfortably though. Favorite saying: No worries! Best sports fantasy: Winning at anything, not likely though. If no one would know, what would you watch on cable all day: The nanny and the Golden Girls - except first we'd have to get cable. I think not having HGTV has helped making building decisions since I don't know about all the cool new stuff out there. Favorite comfort food: Mashed potatoes and gravy (which DH had ready and waiting last night after a very long day / week at work :) What your mom never found out: What I did incollege...shhhhh. Best hangover cure: A big glass of water and two advilbefore bed. I am most confident when: I know what I'm talking about. First job: Picking beans and tomatoes for a neighboring farmer. What my significant other appreciates in me: I'm easy going and calm, I laugh at his jokes, and I like his cooking (but I make better tea). What my significant other does not appreciate in me: Mornings. Choose one: MIL (or pick an annoying relative) stay with you for 1 month or camp 1 month in cheap tent. Tent. I love my MIL, but I like my privacy - I can only stand living with my DH because he is so dear. I can be anti social sometimes, it's why we live in the woods. Time you usually go to bed: That depends on the season. Spring and summer, it's 11, then 3, then 5 (critter feedings). Winter and fall 11:30ish. Perfect date would be: Lying in a hammock with a nice breeze to keep the bugs off and someone bringing us drinks. (All the while someone else is in the house cleaning it and doing laundry...) Household chore you hate the most: vacuuming, especially in the fall and spring when the live oaks shed their leaves. Where you were born: Great Lakes Naval Hospital. Your best friend once told you: Dinner's on the table come home! (he's a great cook too)

Thanks for giving me a lot of new ideas for my Netflix que! While I was adding "The Long, Long Trailer" I saw two other comedies that I forgot to mention: "Harvey" which is like a Depression era time capsule but still an unforgettable performance by Jimmy Stewart. I saw it as a stage play, it is such fun. Also the "Father of the Bride" series of movies, which I think the remakes of are also good. Those would be a fun set of "then and now" movies to compare. The plot description of "The Long, Long Trailer" reminded me of another one of my favorite movies, although it is an 80's film so technically doesn't count as an old enough "oldie" but it is still a fun film if you have a sarcastic sense of humor--"Lost In America." I like a lot of the films Albert Brooks is in, he has good taste picking roles and has actually written some good films, but I digress, he's still living and not that much of an "oldie." Speaking of Ida Lupino and Bogie, one of my all time favorite movies for Bogie is "High Sierra" featuring a kick butt performance by Ms. Lupino! I saw a TV documentary years ago on Bogie and Ida Lupino was still alive and they interviewed her about working with Bogie and she gave the most complimentary description of working with him, how he helped her in scenes, particularly that last one which is a doozy. He said something like "You've got to cry, and you've got to make it believable or else I'll steal that scene" and then he gave her some ideas on what to do, etc. and it must of worked because she rocks. Anyway, ya gotta love a movie where one of the characters is a gal with a club foot named Velma. Speaking of Velmas, a sort of fun movie is "Mildred Pierce" with bratty daughter Veda or something like that. I think it is a horribly sexist film, with strong entrepreneur Mildred Pierce getting her comeuppance, but it's still fun just for the camp value. I guess "Whatever Happened to Baby Jane" is in a similar vein, but not being a fan of either Crawford or Davis I've never seen it.

I don't know if I have a particular "God given talent", but the things I enjoy doing, I seem to do well at. I've always had an interest in decorating, and my first project was in Home Ec, decorating my bedroom. I was always moving things around at home, and would tell Mom if I didn't like a lamp, paint color, furniture, or whatever. When I married, and was 'on my own' I was always aware of how my house looked, and not having a lot of money, would put things on layaway. Writing/i'm very descriptive! Flower arranging/this is something I do a lot for others as well as myself. I find it goes hand-in-hand with decorating, and love to 'put something together' when I get the chance. Painting/took lots of lessons, and at least know brush strokes. Haven't painted anything but furniture or walls in years. Singing/I *love* to sing, mainly in the car. I can reach some pretty high notes. I sang in the church choir when I was a kid, but didn't look forward to going to chrch, just singing. LOL Dancing/I can boogie-down with my 3 DD's pretty well! I took ballet lesson with my youngest DD several years ago and still remembered 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th position as well as tour jete, and plie'. I was still fairly light on my feet! DD found it difficult, and we only took 6 weeks of lessons. Sewing/sewed a dress for a beauty pageant oldest DD had entered years ago, and almost all her clothes in seventh grade. About the only thing I sew now are hems, on the machine, but will be attempting slipcovers for slipper chairs soon. Gardening/fairly successful w/Roses and various flowers, especially wild flowers. I don't have too many things die, unless it's lack of water! LOL Cooking & baking/great cook, too lazy to do much baking. I don't uses 'boxed' mixes, only cakes and brownies. I'm a 'from scratch' cook. Fashion/I worked in ladies ready-to-wear for 20+ years, so feel I have a very good sense of fashion, and what works for me and what doesn't. I don't spend as much $$$ as I used to, cause I would rather buy things for the house. Since i'm no longer out there working, I can save a lot! Most of all, I have a real passion for the things I do enjoy, and always put 100%+ into it! I have an antique space at a local antique mall, and find that's become my creative outlet for a lot of things. I get many compliments, which makes me want to do more, so I feel my efforts are not in vain. ;o)

jt...that is a worrisome description you give of your friend. The combination of eating the french fries and then describing how thin she is and the condition of her teeth leads me to think that she is purging by vomiting, known as bulimia.The stomach acids eat away the enamel on the teeth. It is very very common. I ran with a friend that did it. I finally confronted him after hearing him in the bathroom. We would eat lunch and he would have all of this stuff that one wouldn't think a runner would eat. Then he would always have a reason for going to the bathroom. i followed him and listened. So sad. He also would stop by the trail to supposedly urinate but he was actually vomiting the snacks/lunch we had eaten. He was able to finally get it under control. As an aside he is a clinical psychologist Phd. My DD had a friend in high school who also purged. Her Mom found glass jars of vomit in the girl's closet. Really really sad. The Mom is an MD and did seek help but it was very hard for this gal to accept help. She had to go away to a facility in order to get well. The disorder is extremely addicting and consequently very hard to get over. Here is a link. c Here is a link that might be useful: bulimia and famous people