Apparently I’m still on Oprah’s email list, and I got an email this morning that intrigued me. I’m not a fan, not for years now, but some of the things she writes about really does make you think. So here are the 11 things, and my answers. It may bore you, but I will enjoy looking back at it in a few years. And this picture I posted doesn’t exactly look like a journal, but you have to admit, it’s gawjus. And if I actually wrote in a journal, I would want this!
1. WHAT YOUNGER YOU WOULD LIKE ABOUT PRESENT YOU
I think that the younger me would admire the older me, seriously. Why? Because I’m more sure of myself, I’ve learned to trust my gut, I’m not a pushover like I was when I was younger. But I’m a broad, not a lady, unfortunately, because I really wish I was (were?) a lady. But I’m not, and if I tried, I would be phony, and that’s one thing I’m not, I’m the real meal deal. What you see is what you get.
2. THE WATCHED/READ LIST
It’s no surprise to all of you that I’m a shallow reader. I devour trashy romance novels. Well, not so trashy anymore, I’ve honed my reading skills, the trash is boring, I want a good storyline, and always a happy ending. The best reads of 2013 - has to be my ongoing serial reading of Robin Carr’s Virgin River Series. She’s up to book 15 now, and still going strong. Such good books, set in a small mountain town with colorful characters, what’s not to love. Anything Mary Kay Andrews writes is always on my to read list as well. She has the best sense of humor, she’s always a fun escape.
And my watch list, Downton Abbey. Hands down the best ever series that I’ve watched, possibly forever. Wasn’t crazy about the direction the story went last year, but those Brits, they sure do know how to produce fascinating television.
3. THE MISTAKE YOU’LL NEVER WANT TO MAKE
To intentionally or unintentionally hurt someone’s feelings and not to take anyone for granted. Live in the moment, it’s all we have. Good friends and a wonderful family are truly a gift, keep those you love close to your heart.
4. YOUR IDEAL OUTFIT
Oh, this is an easy one. I’m a jeans girl, always have been, always will be. Of course I would need to be thin to pull this off, but it’s the ideal outfit, right? Okay, skinny jeans with a great fade, awesome boots, vintage look, distressed soft, supple brown butter leather, high boots that come to my knees. Tuck those jeans into the boots and top it with a long loose tunic sweater, preferably asymmetric, cream or oatmeal, fuzzy angora or soft cashmere. Lots of bangles on both arms, some kind of long, statement earrings, hair a shoulder length bob, slightly shorter in the back, shiny and sleek, with fresh streaky color, super smoky eyes in shades of brown and gold. Purse? Oversized brown hobo bag, very distressed, leather soft as butter. And what do I need to make this happen? Well, first I need to lose lots more weight and have a boob job. Can’t forget making the girls smaller, and a weave in my hair. Cough up the big bucks for the clothes, hair and jewelry and that should do it. Yeah, sure Jan, when pigs fly this will happen...
5. A DEEP DARK-SHHH-SECRET
Oh boy, like I would give it away on here. Ya, I probably would since I have no filter. Ummmmmm, oh, I’ve got it! I would really like a great picture of me and the grandkids, a natural pose with all of us laughing. Sounds like a simple thing doesn’t it, but it never seems to happen. And to accomplish that we would probably need to take 100-150 pictures minimum to get a good one. So I would also ask for patience from the photographer that took the pictures. Family are you listening?
6. THE MOST UNEXPECTED COMPLIMENT THAT YOU EVER GOT
Well, it happened a few years ago at Canton Inn, our families (not the girls, just LC and the boys) favorite restaurant. And for the most part, compliments make me uncomfortable, I’m not one to seek attention. But I was at the buffet and this nice older gentleman (75ish) came up to me and said I was absolutely beautiful and wanted to know if he could hug me. He didn’t look like a pervert, I was stunned, but I laughed, opened my arms and gave him a big hug. I was always glad I did that, such a simple thing and it was obviously important to him. Maybe I reminded him of someone he once loved, or maybe he was a pervert, but I prefer not to think about that.
7. THAT ONE QUOTE
I have two, “When we know better, we do better” ~ Maya Angelou - and my favorite, the one Ryan told me “You can do just about anything if you just take your time."
8. THE BEST SURPRISE YOU’VE EVER HAD
Has to be when the kids told me they were pregnant with my grandchildren. And now grandbaby No. 3 is coming in the spring. I’m so blessed with these precious little souls.
9. YOUR TRUE HAPPINESS
We’ll, it’s obviously family and friends and my adored fur child, Maggie Moo. But if I had to pick one perfect happy peaceful moment it would be about 15 years ago when hubby and I were landscaping The Gingerbread House. We had gone to pick up a load of top soil in LC’s company pickup one pretty summer day, and it was down by the river. The guys that loaded the dirt had just begun their lunch break, LC went off to talk to them, and he was parked right next to the river in a grove of trees. Both doors were open, dappled sunlight twinkled through the trees and this warm, gentle, breeze was blowing over me. I lay down and slept and it was the most perfect, blissful sleep I’ve ever had. Then the workers finished lunch, fired up the backhoe, hubby came back, slammed the door, started the truck motor, and poof, it was over...
10. YOUR FAVORITE FAILURE
Would have to be blogging. I began blogging years ago when Ryan was just out of college and living in Washington State. I wrote a few entries just to keep in touch with him and he told me I would never do it. Boy, was he wrong! I’ve blogged forever now, and maybe it was a failure initially, because it took me a couple of attempts before it took hold, but wow, I have sure blabbed a lot of nonsense over the years, with no intention of stopping now.
11. AN AMENDMENT TO THE BUCKET LIST
Well, that’s easy enough, I just blogged about this last week. I want to fly fish, I really want to do this. And when I think of more things to add to that list, I’ll be sure and give you an update.
So what are your 11 things? Think about it...
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