Random Dozen

I'm at it again!

1. What is one really fast, know-by-heart "go-to" meal to fix in a pinch?
When I’m in a hurry, I like to make whole-wheat spaghetti with sautéed zucchini, garlic, olive oil, black pepper and nutritional yeast. If I can wait 30 minutes, I like to whip up farinata (only without the rosemary, cheese and tomato -- I put Italian seasoning and crushed red pepper instead).

2. What is one item you won't leave home without. (Purse and license do not count.)
Chapstick! My lips crave it.

3. Where is one place you never tire of visiting?
Italy.

4. Share one factoid of your family's history.
My middle name, Kimery, is my mom’s maiden name. There are also Kimreys in the country. The story is that twin brothers named Kimery had farms next door to each other and got into a fight over fence lines or something. One of the brothers changed his name to Kimrey, and the two never spoke again.

5. Complete this sentence: "Once upon a time I ...."
…wanted to be a ballerina. (I still do.)

6. If you could win a one year's supply of anything, what would it be?
Endangered Species deep forest mint bars.

7. "One quirky thing you may not know about me is ...."
I cool my muffins and cupcakes upside down so the bottoms don’t get soggy.

8. You have one dollar in your pocket. What will you buy?
A small bag of Lay’s regular potato chips.

9. "One thing that always makes me laugh is ...."
The Apartment. I love that movie. “Premium-wise and billing-wise, we are eighteen percent ahead of last year, October-wise.”

10. What is one thing you could do today to help yourself reach a personal goal?
Go to the gym, but we’ll see if it happens.

11. What is one thing you could do today to bless someone else?
I’m going to visit my grandmother in the hospital. She’s back again and feeling down.

12. What is one thing you're looking forward to soon?
Planning a trip to Italy!

Random Dozen

I’m playing along again!

1. Please share one memory of your high school graduation. Pics would be great!
At my high-school graduation, I was sick as a dog. I had a migraine with all the works: churning stomach, throbbing head, burning eyes, and the intense desire to lie down. Unfortunately, I was the valedictorian, so I had a speech to make. (I guess “unfortunately” isn’t a great choice of words.) I was also one of the students who had to sit on the stage, and because I was first in my class, I was between the principal and the superintendent of the district. Gulp. I also have a really small head, so my durn cap kept falling off my head. The whole ceremony was a blur of discomfort, awkwardness, and a major desire to get the crap out of there. That will be eight years ago on Saturday. Here’s a long-distance shot of me giving my valedictory address:
And here’s me four years later (and, fittingly, four years ago on Friday) at my college graduation (with my alphabetical-order buddy). I'm on the right, waving to my adoring public:

2. What is one "emergency use" item you keep in your vehicle at all times?
I try to keep a five-dollar bill in my car, but really, in an emergency, I’d be screwed unless CDs and trash could save me.

3. In your region, do you celebrate graduation open houses? Addendum: (If so,) how many open houses/bridal showers/weddings are on your upcoming events calendar?
I read that as “religion,” not “region” at first. Oy. We didn’t have open houses, but there was a party. I was sick, though, so I didn’t go to one. I have nothing on my calendar either since most of my friends aren’t in school, and I have no children.

4. Tell me one truth you believe about motherhood.
It will require me to gain more patience and operate on less sleep.

5. What was the last thing you broke?
I honestly don’t remember. It can’t have been that long ago, though. I’m clumsy. I broke the skin on my finger on Saturday getting something big into my car. Does that count?

6. On average, how many pieces of junk mail do you receive daily?
One or two.

7. Do you like to shop by catalog?
I like to look at catalogs, but it’s been years since I ordered from one.

8. Is lawn maintenance at your house a "his job," a "her job" or "his/her job" or "that's why we have teenagers" job?
It’s an “I live in an apartment complex, so it’s their” job. :)

9. Which room would you like to redecorate in your home?
Provided I was allowed to do things such as paint, I guess I’d choose the guest room/computer room/glorified storage closet.

10. Do you read a newspaper regularly, or do you read most of your news on line?
No, I quit reading the print version of the Tulsa World when they laid me and all my friends off. I rarely read it online either because their suckage has increased exponentially in recent years. I don’t really know how I stay informed.

11. Do you believe everything happens for a reason?
No, I think sometimes bad things happen to good people and vice versa. We control how we respond to such events.

12. Are you more worried about doing things right, or doing the right things?
I’m a perfectionist, but doing the right thing is definitely most important to me. That’s part of why I work for a nonprofit.