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Post by Midge on Dec 26, 2013 3:14:55 GMT -6
I wish I had musical talent because I love music, and singing or playing an instrument brings such joy.
Is there something that you will not compromise on?
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Post by dvdjunkie on Dec 26, 2013 9:40:19 GMT -6
Yes. The way I have my DVD's and Blu-rays catalogued. The DVD's are alphabetized by title and separated from the Blu-rays which are also alphabetized by title. My Disney titles are the same way. DVD in one place and Blu-ray in another. I am also very anal about this process, so if some one in the family borrows a movie, I would rather they just give it back to me physically so I can put it where it belongs. Many times there have been questions about 'who's been in my DVD shelves', or 'who's been in my blu-ray shelves'. I have found that I am easier to get along with when they just bring the movie titles they borrowed and give them physically back to me.
Same Question: Is there something that you will not compromise on?
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Post by Midge on Dec 26, 2013 19:28:35 GMT -6
I won't use margarine. That's all we ever had when I was growing up, and I didn't realize how tasteless it is until I had the real thing. Except for a few recipes that work better with margarine than butter, it's butter all the way!
Have you ever had a tooth pulled?
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Post by dvdjunkie on Dec 27, 2013 8:51:19 GMT -6
Yes. Many, many years ago, I had most of my upper teeth pulled and now have a partial upper plate. Have not had any problems with my teeth since. That was a real wake-up call, so I now brush my teeth regularly and floss each day as many times as necessary, Have only had two fillings since that fateful day.
Have you ever had a dislocation of a bone.
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Post by Midge on Dec 27, 2013 19:22:20 GMT -6
No, I've never dislocated anything, thank heaven. It sounds really painful.
Have you ever dislocated a bone?
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Post by dvdjunkie on Dec 28, 2013 9:38:13 GMT -6
Yes, and was silly the way it happened. I actually dislocated my thumb playing ping pong. Don't ask. Long story short, I went to make a 'slam return' and my thumb hit the edge of the table. And, yes, it was very painful for several days.
Have you made any spring travel plans for the coming year?
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Post by Midge on Dec 28, 2013 18:28:07 GMT -6
No, Al doesn't like to travel.
Are you going anywhere this year?
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Post by dvdjunkie on Dec 29, 2013 9:21:08 GMT -6
Beverly and I are going to try to go see Ron and Sandy at The Weaubleau one last time this spring. We missed this past year, and we want to take the grand kids with us, so they can see how much they have grown. And I really miss Ron and Sandy for all the things they do to make their guests feel at home.
Have you ever taken the cruise and tour at Alcatraz Prison?
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Post by Midge on Dec 29, 2013 19:16:17 GMT -6
Yes, we did that once when Al and I were first dating back in 1984. It's cold and windy out there! It was interesting, though I don't think we'll go back. I've heard the cruise is so popular now that it's booked up weeks in advance.
What is the most interesting historic site you have ever visited?
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Post by dvdjunkie on Dec 30, 2013 12:03:24 GMT -6
When I was driving Tour buses, my most memorable trip was the trip I made to Mt. Rushmore in South Dakota. We stayed at a hotel in Rapid City, SD, which is about a half-hour away from this historic place. I was really impressed with it's beauty, and went into the on-site theater where they show how this National Monument was created and built. Also as part of the two-day stay of this trip we went to see the Crazy Horse Monument which is, to this day, still being built, but it is open to the public very cautiously.
What is the tallest building you have been lucky enough to visit?
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Post by Midge on Dec 31, 2013 18:44:30 GMT -6
I guess the Empire State Building would have to be the tallest. The World Trade Center was built while I was living in New York but I never had an occasion to go there.
What was the most memorable New Year's Eve experience you ever had?
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Post by dvdjunkie on Jan 2, 2014 8:36:35 GMT -6
We are such 'homebodies' that New Year's Eve is just another day. It is time for us to get as many family members together for a nice dinner and then get the grand kids bundled up for their "march in the New Year". At just before midnight, we start the countdown and then the kids march around in a circle banging pots and pans with wooden spoons and saying "Happy New Year". We let them do it for five minutes, and then we bring them in and get them to bed. About five years ago we had really grumpy neighbors who would call the police and complain, and when they would come to the house, we would explain what we do, and that would be it. This year I think we got the message across to the police, because all we got was a phone call, and we explained again what we were doing. I hope these people move away or just come over and join in the five minutes of fun.
We are going to be 5-35 degrees below normal in temperatures this week in Kansas. Here in Wichita, we will see temperatures below Zero with wind-chill temps down in the double digits on Monday and Tuesday. What is your weather projected to be over the next five or six days?
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Post by Midge on Jan 2, 2014 18:39:10 GMT -6
Bay Area weather has been very dry. We haven't had any significant rainfall in months, the rainfall in San Francisco was only 20% of normal for 2013, and they're talking about drought and water rationing. That's the bad news. The good news is that temperatures are about 10 degrees higher than normal with highs in the 60s on the coast and 70s inland. This dry, warm weather is quite pleasant, but I wish it would rain. There's a slight chance of rainfall next week, but only a chance, and it won't be very much if we get any.
What did you have for dinner last night?
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Post by dvdjunkie on Jan 3, 2014 8:07:04 GMT -6
Tossed salad with Olive Garden dressing, Chicken Fried Rice, and a scoop of Vanilla Ice Cream with Heath Candy Bar bits for dessert. It was yummy, and anytime my daughter gets out her "giant" wok we know that something good is going to be served for dinner.
What did you have for lunch today?
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Post by Midge on Jan 3, 2014 19:12:12 GMT -6
I don't usually eat lunch because we get up late and have dinner early, but I had a snack, a big handful of unsalted, roasted almonds.
What's the best speed to drive if you want to get the maximum gas mileage?
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Post by dvdjunkie on Jan 4, 2014 9:25:06 GMT -6
People who live in different places in the country give different answers to this. Since you live in a very hilly party of the state of California you probably can't get the mileage out of your car that I could here in Kansas. We are very flat, and my Kia says it can get up to 21 miles per gallon in town and 28-30 mpg out on the highway. I check my gas mileage every fill-up and I think that following all the speed limit signs to the letter helps get the best mileage out of your automobile. We have been averaging in town about 18 mpg because we don't take a lot of short trips. Plus we combine a lot of stops so we don't have to make those short trips. I was always taught that you don't start your car if you aren't driving five miles. It takes five miles to get all the fluids, parts and battery use to start the car back to the battery. I have truly found that is a true fact. My cars have always had their oil changes by time since the last one instead of every three thousand miles. And I use the same brand of gasoline, which helps to increase the mpg for my car. Best highway mileage I ever got was 31 mps when we went to Branson, Missouri two years ago. One of our last trips out of Wichita. I always drive the speed limit, and can proudly say that I have never had a moving violation ticket in my life behind the wheel. Beverly, on the other hand, is the lead foot in the family. She has had three speeding tickets in the first year we were in Kansas, and since that time has had only two more in the past 12 years. She is learning, slowly.
Back at you with this question:
What's the best speed to drive if you want to get the maximum gas mileage?
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Post by Midge on Jan 4, 2014 19:10:05 GMT -6
Well, gosh, Bill, I think you already answered that one. You're a hard act to follow! But I'd say generally speaking, the best mileage happens when you are driving at a steady speed on a flat highway going 55 mph or less. That's why car mileage ratings are always higher for highway than for city driving. If Al and I followed your rule about not starting the car for a trip of less than five miles, we'd never go anywhere! Theoretically a lot of the restaurants and stores we visit regularly are within a mile or two, but we live on such a long, steep hill that it's not practical to walk, especially for Al since he's 73 years old and not in good physical shape. What conversational topic [besides gas mileage ], when someone brings it up, really gets you going because you have a passionate opinion or a lot of knowledge about it?
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Post by dvdjunkie on Jan 5, 2014 9:01:23 GMT -6
Want to really get me started don't you? If someone brings up the status of today's music, that really gets me going. There hasn't really been any good music since the late 70's and very early 80's. I don't consider "rap" or "hip hop" to be music. I like Rush Limbaugh's definition of 'rap' music - "A pretty bad poem set to even worse drum beats"!!! Don't get me started on anything concerning today's music versus music we were brought up with, music from people like Perry Como, Teresa Brewer, The Everly Brothers, Roy Orbison, Elvis Presley, The Ames Brothers, etc. I could go on and on. I do not approve of the majority of music that is on the radio or television today. That's probably why I like shows on television like "The Voice", "The Sing-off", and "American Idol". And I am really getting into today's Country music!
What non-political subject sets you off with distinct opinions?
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Post by Midge on Jan 6, 2014 4:09:32 GMT -6
What sets me off is the subject of food and nutrition. The average American diet is loaded with fat, salt, sugar and refined carbs. It's junk, and most of us don't realize what we're really eating -- and how much. Nutrition labels on the food you buy in the supermarket give ridiculously small serving sizes so you think you are consuming fewer calories than you are. And they use deceptive wording to make you think the ingredients are healthy, like "evaporated cane juice." Do you know what that really is? It's just another word for white sugar! Grrrr. I guess they think if they call it "juice" it will sound healthy. And the ads are deceptive, too. Fast food commercials show these tempting-looking hamburgers with plump, shiny meat patties, strategically placed bright green lettuce and juicy tomatoes peeking out from a fluffy, perfect, dome-shaped golden brown bun. Looks good, huh? Then try comparing a real McDonalds burger to the ones they show in the ads. No resemblance whatsoever. I could go on. But don't get me started! [getting off my soapbox] Is there something about you that would surprise people if they knew?
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Post by dvdjunkie on Jan 6, 2014 7:20:14 GMT -6
Yes, I think so. Now that I am getting up in the years (73) a lot of the "real" me has been exposed. One thing that I don't think some people realize is that I am a very charitable person when it comes to giving my time and efforts to something that I truly believe in. When Jerome Waldie ran for President, way back when, I got on the bandwagon and "walked" 75 miles over a three day period with him to promote the things he believed in. I paid my way in the motels we stayed in for two nights, but was always up bright and early and in the front of the line when we continued our parade from San Francisco to the Capitol steps in Sacramento.
How about sharing with us:
Is there something about you that would surprise people if they knew?
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Post by Midge on Jan 8, 2014 19:40:32 GMT -6
Yes. I was the victim of a kidnapping. It was during my parent's divorce and custody dispute. I was six, my brother was nine, and we were living with Mom. Dad sneaked into the house in the middle of the night (accompanied by a woman he later said was a private detective), woke us and drove us to a secret location, a private house in a nearby town where (I'm assuming) Dad was renting a room. The lady who lived there took care of us and we were treated well, but we didn't go to school, and the telephone had a lock on it so we couldn't call home and let Mom know where we were. After 10 days Dad took us home to Mom, but he served two days in the County Jail for kidnapping. Eventually he received full custody and moved 400 miles away, so I saw very little of my mother growing up.
What is the most extreme weather you've ever experienced?
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Post by dvdjunkie on Jan 9, 2014 10:08:16 GMT -6
Winters here in Kansas can sometimes be very extreme. Like this past week, our high temperatures have been in the low 20's during the day and in single digits and below zero during the night. Today (Thursday) we will get warmed up to a nice 35 degrees after last night's low temperature of 11. The bad part is the wind, and the wind-chill factors. This past Monday and Tuesday we had wind chills of 15-25 below zero. We also had some light snow and some freezing rain. This weekend we will all thaw out with temperatures during the day of around 45 and night time around 25. Sunday it is supposed to be 52, but Monday will drop down in the lower 40's because of another blast of cold from the Arctic. I am looking so forward to Spring!
Good question, and since you live on the Left Coast -
What is the most extreme weather you've ever experienced?
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Post by Midge on Jan 9, 2014 18:20:33 GMT -6
Left Coast weather doesn't get very extreme, as you know, but Al and I once visited relatives in Las Vegas in July. The high one day was 109ยบ, the hottest weather we'd ever experienced. Desert heat is very dry, so I'd get electric shocks when I touched a door handle, my hair crackled when I brushed it, and my skin felt parched. When we walked along the Strip, it was so hot that we kept ducking into hotels along the way just to have a few minutes' respite from the blazing sun. It felt like walking around inside of a clothes dryer.
What is your earliest childhood memory?
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Post by dvdjunkie on Jan 10, 2014 7:38:39 GMT -6
Don't remember the true cycle of the events, but I always think about the day my Dad came home from his tour overseas in WWII in 1944. We were at the shipyards in Long Beach and we got to see him come down the ramp and give us all a hug. I remember that it was very cold, and that my sister was only two at the time and she slept through it all.
What is your earliest childhood memory?
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Post by Midge on Jan 10, 2014 18:37:25 GMT -6
I remember being put to bed in my crib by my mother. A nightlight was on, and the room was bathed in a soft golden glow. I was in footie pajamas, standing up in my crib holding on to the bars and watching her leave the room. I remember feeling sad that Mommy was going away and leaving me. I wished she would come back, but I knew she wouldn't.
Do you get any of those annoying telemarketing calls?
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Post by dvdjunkie on Jan 11, 2014 9:06:09 GMT -6
Nope. I renew my request each year to have my name removed from all calling lists. It works and as long as it works, I will keep doing so. I always want to know who is calling, so if the caller I.D. comes up "Unidentified Caller" I just let it ring. Plus Kansas has laws to prevent telemarketing 'cold' calling.
Do you answer your phone every time it rings, or do you just ignore it if you don't know who is calling?
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Post by Midge on Jan 11, 2014 18:27:48 GMT -6
Unless we are expecting a call, we let the answering machine screen all incoming calls, and then we only pick up if there's someone on the line we want to talk to. We're on the Do-Not-Call list, but calls get through anyway. Even if you are on the Do-Not-Call list, some companies are allowed to call you. If you have done business with them before they can still call you, and charities are also allowed to solicit donations. I have given blood, so the blood bank calls me all the time wanting me to set up an appointment.
Funny you should ask a phone question, because the landline has been out of order since Thursday. We're not getting any phone calls from anybody. The peace and quiet is wonderful!
Have you ever had door-to-door milk delivery? We used to live next door to a milkman.
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Post by dvdjunkie on Jan 12, 2014 8:34:50 GMT -6
Not as an adult. I remember as a child that the milkman always delivered milk to our door and any other dairy products that my Mom needed.
Do you remember Helms Bakery trucks that delivered fresh bakery products to your door?
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Post by Midge on Jan 12, 2014 20:01:34 GMT -6
Oh, yes, I remember Helms bakery trucks very well. I loved hearing the distinctive tootle of their horn because I knew I was in for a treat. The driver would park at the end of the street, open the rear doors and pull out varnished blonde wood drawers with chrome handles and glass tops that contained cakes, pies, cookies, cream puffs, eclairs maple bars and all sorts of fragrant, freshly baked goods. My favorite was the light, yeasty glazed doughnuts that cost 5 cents apiece. What I wouldn't give to hear the sound of a Helms truck again.
What fond food memories do you have from your childhood?
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Post by dvdjunkie on Jan 13, 2014 9:38:03 GMT -6
I can remember this food truck that was in our neighborhood twice a week that sold these really scrumptious meat pies. I was about 11 or 12, and I used to watch for the truck at least once a week and get one of these delights. A individual meat pie and a soda for .50 cents, now that is what I call a bargain.
What fond food memories do you have from your childhood?
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