Fun Monday Halloween Costumes & Characters

My, how the month flies by when you're hosting Fun Mondays! This is the last week of hosting duties for me. Thanks to everyone who has played the game in October. Julie at Another Chance Ranch takes the reins (get it?) for November. Jill at Life is Not Bubble Wrapped will do the honors in December.

October 25 Topic: Let's celebrate Halloween and the pleasures of dressing up by sharing a costume or character that you'd most enjoying being for a day. If you were going to a Halloween--or other costume--party, who or what would you like to be? Now don't everyone pick Lady Gaga. Or, if you want to share photos of your resident small goblins, that's great too.

Here's my choice:


Yes, I would love to be Ziva David, former Israeli Mossad agent and current special agent on NCIS. Ziva is a warrior who looks great in cargo pants and an NCIS cap. And she more than holds her own with other members of the NCIS team headed by straight arrow Jethro Gibbs, Italian stallion wannabe Anthony DiNozzo, and tech geek Timothy McGee. Ziva is ruthless at her job, but is famous for misusing or mangling American slang. Here are a few favorites:

Ziva as an assassin

DiNozzo: (about Ziva hitting his abdomen) Do it.
McGee: As hard as she can?
DiNozzo: As hard as you can.
McGee: You know that's how Houdini died.
DiNozzo: Ziva, did you kill Houdini?
Ziva: It is possible. I do not remember all their names.
_______
McGee: All right, then we'll flip for it.
Ziva: If I flip you, you will get hurt.
________
Abby: Want to talk knives?
Ziva: Always.
_________
And her ongoing threat for DiNozzo-- Ziva: Tony, I will hurt you.

And then the American slang mixups:

McGee: There goes the dream of a house with a picket fence.
Ziva: A picket fence would provide neither privacy nor security.
_________
Ziva: (commenting on Director Shepard's new haircut) I see she went for the elf cut.
DiNozzo: It's called the pixie.
Ducky: I think she looks great.

So, the character I would most enjoy being for a day is Ziva the Israeli Warrior Princess. Here's the list of players who have signed up so far. As usual, if you need your name added to the list, just let me know and I'll update. The more, the scarier!

1. Joangee - Musings n Waffle
2. Sayre - Sayre Smiles
3. Julie - Another Chance Ranch
4. Janis - Life According to Jan and Jer
5. Ari_1965 - Prawn of Fate
6. Jill - Life is Not Bubble Wrapped
7. Church Lady -Living Life in PA
8. Cynical Girl -Cynical Girl

Happy Halloween and be sure to pass out plenty chocolate to all the goblins that come calling.

10/25 Fun Monday Signup - Costumes

The Italians really know how to dress up! These glittery, mysterious, and dangerous looking masks were spotted in Venice shops for the annual Carnevale celebration. And now inspiration for this week's Fun Monday assignment, which is:

Let's celebrate Halloween and the pleasures of dressing up by sharing costumes. If you are going to a Halloween--or other costume--party, who would you like to be? I hear Lady Gaga is a front runner this year. Now don't hesitate to play because you're not partying this year. If you were going to dress up, who or what would you be? Or, if you want to share photos of your resident small goblins, that's great too!

If you want to play this last week in October--and I hope you do--just sign up with Mr. Linky and I'll provide an updated list of players in time for Monday blog visiting.

Fun Monday - Procrastination Three Ways

Here we are. The third week in October and I'm still your host for Fun Monday. Your topic for the 18th:

We all do it. Procrastinate, that is. So for this week's assignment, please share your three favorite ways of procrastinating. And, if you've figured out exactly WHY you procrastinate, could you share the secret with the rest of us!

Right off the bat I'd say that procrastination is not necessarily a bad thing. Sometimes I delay finishing a task or making a decision because I need something more--more information, resources, or something else to fall into place first. In this state often I'm still percolating, weighing the pros and cons. Eventually, I just do it.

My three favorite ways of procrastinating are:

Listmaking -- for many years I've made lists--daily, weekly, monthly, seasonal. The lists are by categories. I have lists for every aspect of my life that needs attention. My priorities have stayed pretty much the same over the years: homekeeping, organization, health/wellness, finances, and creativity. This is a typical list for the season. You'll notice that everything doesn't get done on the list. Never mind, it just gets transferred to the new one.

Social Networking -- first there was only blogging and e-mail that I use to stay connected with old friends and make new ones from here in the U.S. and several other countries. Recently I've added Facebook, youTube, and the internet to my "outreach". I spend a lot of time daily in different forms of social networking. Sometimes I get on Facebook or blogs as a way of procrastinating. I still don't consider any of this a huge waste of time though. I meet new people, maintain old friendships, learn new things. All of this from my cozy home office. I would not feel nearly as happily retired with these networks.


Laziness -- this may seem odd, but I relish being able to be a sloth whenever the mood strikes. It's such a sense of freedom to get up in the morning and know that I don't have to do anything, even if it is on my list. I can just drift through the day doing exactly what pleases me. Saying "yes" to laziness is such a luxury because for as long as I can remember, especially in adulthood, I've had to keep to a schedule and complete tasks at work. I always felt like I moved from one big project to another until I retired. Very little room for procrastination.

So, there you have my three favorite ways of procrastinating. Here are the player for this week. Try to visit them over the next few days and find out their favorite ways of putting things off.

1. Sayre - Sayre Smiles
2. Lavon - Flowerschi's Blog
3. Cynical Girl - Cynical Girl
4. Peter - Holtie's House
5. Molly - Return of the White Robin
6. Ari_1965 - Prawn of Fate
7. Sandy - Myanderings
8. Jill Life is Not Bubble Wrapped

If your link didn't make it on the list, just add to signup and I'll update soon. Remember that Julie at Another Chance Ranch is hosting for November and Jill at Life is not Bubble Wrapped is doing the honors in December.

Topic for October 25 -- Let's celebrate Halloween and the pleasures of dressing up by sharing costumes. If you are going to a Halloween--or other costume--party who would you like to be? I hear Lady Gaga is the front runner this year. Now don't hesitate to play because you're not partying this year. IF you were going to dress up, who or what would it be? Come back on Thursday for the signup.

10/18 Fun Monday Signup - The Fine Art of Procrastination

We all do it. Procrastinate, that is. So, continuing my Fun Monday hosting duties, for the October 18th assignment, please share your three favorite ways of procrastinating. Is your plan for time management similar to Maxine's? Or, do you have other strategies for putting off that work equally well?

And finally, if you've figured out exactly WHY you procrastinate, would you please share the secret with the rest of us?


If you want to play on October 18--and I hope you do--just sign up with Mr. Linky below and I'll provide a list of players on Monday Morning, along with my best kept secrets on the fine art of procrastinating.

Fun Monday - Shirl's Fridge Blog--and Mine

Hey everyone! Your October Fun Monday host here with your assignment for October 11:

Fridge Blogs--in most homes the refrigerator door is the family communications center with a great hodgepodge of calendars, announcements, reminders, photos, cartoons, and maybe some artwork from the budding Picasso in the family. Share a photo of your fridge and describe what you have displayed on it. What does this kitchen focal point have to say about you and your family?

(I first thought of the term "fridge blog" after visiting my now 75 year old friend, Shirl. To explain, I'm re-posting this entry which I wrote back in August '07 soon after I began blogging.)

Last week I met long-time friends Shirl and Steph in Lexington for a leisurely lunch and chat at the Jean Farris Winery and Bistro on the outskirts of the city. Crisp chardonnay, crab cakes and a warm brownie with raspberry sabayon sauce--yum! Whether it's bourbon or wine, Kentucky has a handle on serving spirits and great food.

Lunch conversation turned to blogs. Shirl, who's a roaring 72 years young, enjoys reading "Summit Musings" because she shares my liberal political and social views with the exception of allowing casino gambling in the state (an issue that's getting too much attention in the governor's race, in my view). However, as do many of my readers, she warned me not to expect her to comment on any blog posts. The reason? She has her own blog to maintain--her Fridge Blog.

I've known--and lived with intermittently--with Shirl's family for almost 40 years. And it's true, their fridge has always been a massive collage of family activities, achievements, community events, and daily reminders. No visit to their home would be complete without checking in on Shirl's Fridge Blog.

So, today I'm thinking about this form of family communication that most of us have used for years and are still not willing to give up in favor of technology.

And now three years later, here's what I currently have on my fridge blog:

Freezer Door--starting from the left there's calendars, monthly and annual. Since I've retired I don't have to pay so much attention to a schedule so thankfully most everything is either routine appointments and entertainment. In the middle of the door there's postcards of some of the loveliest places in Kentucky in the fall-Barren Lake, an old farmstead, Old Frankfort Pike through horse country. Then there are the dogs--Zack the border collie, Dan the golden, and Willie as a slick black and white pup. In the upper right section of the door there's programs, announcements and tickets for upcoming entertainment--The Louisville Chorus; Burn the Floor, a Broadway play celebrating ballroom dancing; tickets to an Iris DeMent concert and Greg Mortenson's talk about his book Three Cups of Tea. And a wedding invitation.


Fridge Door--on the right there's a collection of clippings from our local paper. People send in "Trip Pics" of their travels in the U.S. and abroad. I clip out the photos of places I've visited myself. Love seeing places that I've been to as well. There's clippings of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, Mirror Lake in New Zealand, gondolas in Venice, overviews of Saltzburg, Swiss mountain peaks, Tuscan countryside, and San Juan Hill in Puerto Rico. These clippings are reminders of happy travels.

On the far right near the door handle there's two old post cards which I bought at an outdoor antique market a few weeks ago. They're either of famous places or of everyday life. In one a little boy is turned over his mother's knee getting his britches patched, caption "Necessary Repairs." The other is of the famous cathedral in Florence, Italy called The Duomo. I've visited that remarkable church.

When I look over this list, the essentials are there: friends, family, dogs, travel, art and the pleasures of home. Here's the list of other Fun Monday players who have signed up to share their fridge blogs. As always, if you want on the list just leave me a comment and I'll add your link right away.

1. Janis - Life According to Jan and Jer
2. Sayre - Sayre Smiles
3. Church Lady - Living Life in PA
4. Grace - Mama Rehema
5. Peter - Holties House
6. Jill - Life is Not Bubble Wrapped
7. Sandy - Myanderings
8. Molly - Return of the White Robin

Topic for October 18: We all do it. Procrastinate, that is. So for October 18 I want you to share your three favorite ways of procrastinating. And if you've figured out exactly WHY you procrastinate, could you share the secret with the rest of us?! Check back on Thursday and Mr. Linky and I will be ready for you to sign up.

October 11 Fun Monday Signup - Fridge Blogs

Fridge Blogs -In most homes the refrigerator door is not only decorated, it's also the family communications center with calendars, photos, announcements, reminders and, if you're lucky, some art work from a budding Picasso. Fridge blogs are a form of family communication that most of us have used for years and are still not willing to give up in favor of technology.

Your assignment for October 11 is to share a photo of your refrigerator door. What do you have displayed on it? What does this focal point of your kitchen say about you and your family?

If you'd like to play--and I hope you do---just sign up below. On Monday I'll have an updated list of all the players. And good news, we have host volunteers for the next two months: Julie for November and Jill for December. Thanks, girlz!

Fun Monday - Grandma's Mr. Thornton

Welcome to October Fun Mondays! I'm your host for the entire month--you're very welcome. :-) Your assignment for October 4 is to share a favorite family photo(s)and tell us why this particular photo means so much to you. The photo can be one from the past that's perhaps not in the greatest shape, like my choice. Or, it can be a modern day digital wonder. Your choice. What's important is that you love it.

Meet my maternal grandparents, Rainey and Myrtle Hamilton. Rainey was born in 1887, Myrtle in 1890 in the Appalachian Mountains of eastern Kentucky. They were married in 1907 when Grandma was only 17 and Grandpa a very young 21 years old. They had five children in quick succession--two boys, three girls. In 1922 Grandpa Rainey died at 35 years old of appendicitis. I have heard stories of him being put on a horse drawn sled and carried to the doctor, but that did not save him.

Grandma Myrtle must have been devastated by his untimely death for, by all accounts, my grandpa was much respected in their mountain community. He was an itinerant teacher and magistrate even at such a young age. And, even in this poor photo, a proud and handsome Scotsman. Looking closely at my grandma you would probably guess that she was made of stern stuff. For sure, that's how I remember her from my childhood. I never knew my grandpa except by others' accounts. When Grandpa Rainey died, the four older children were sent to orphanages in Ohio and my grandma only kept the youngest boy at home with her. I've always thought that was hard of her to do, but perhaps that was the only choice. Grandma Myrtle never remarried, even though she was widowed at such an early age. She must have loved her young husband very much.

I call my grandpa "grandma's Mr. Thornton" because he reminds me so much of John Thornton, the proud cotton manufacturer and magistrate in Elizabeth Gaskell's novel, North and South, set in industrial England of the mid-1800s. Richard Armitage plays him in the dramatic adaptation. Here he is with his love Margaret Hale. According to the novel, Margaret was as stern as my grandma!

I have only two photos of my Grandpa Rainey. I look at them and regret that I never knew him. I hope that it was from him that I got my love for learning. Wouldn't have minded inheriting his looks as well--he, like John Thornton, was "remarkably handsome"!

Here are the players for Fun Monday. If you missed the earlier signup, just let me know and I'll quickly add your name to the list so you can get visitors.

1. Sayre - Sayre Smiles
2. Church Lady - Living Life in PA
3. Janis - Life According to Jan and Jer
4. Julie - Another Chance Ranch
5. Molly Return of the White Robin
6. Ari - Beyond My Slab
7. Grace - Mama Rehema
8. Joangee - musings n waffle
9. Pamela - The Dust Will Wait
10. Jan - Prytz Family
11. Sandy - Myanderings
12. Jill - Life is Not Bubble Wrapped

We have volunteers! Julie at Another Chance Ranch will host for November and Jill at Life is Not Bubble Wrapped will do December. Thanks.

Topic for October 11: Fridge Blogs - in most homes the refrigerator door is not only decorated, it's also the family communication center with calendars, photos, announcements, reminders, art work, etc. Share a photo of your refrigerator door. What do you have posted on it? Why? Come back on Thursday to sign up if you want to play. Lets keep Fun Monday going by keeping the "fun" in it.