Aloha Friday #11

Aloha everyone!
It's Friday, which means that over at An Island Life it is time for Aloha Friday. In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day that they take it easy and look forward to the weekend. So on Fridays we take it easy on posting, too. Therefore, she asks a simple question for you to answer. Nothing that requires a lengthy response. Then everyone else asks a simple question of their own blog for others to answer.

May is National Skin Cancer Awareness Month. Skin Cancer is on the rise and more than 8,000 deaths are attributed directly to melanoma (skin cancer) each year (most of these could have been prevented simply by protecting the skin from UV radiation.)

Several of my family members have recently been diagnosed with basal cell carcinomas. They have had to go in and get biopsied. Thankfully, in each case, early detection proved to be a good thing and both results turned out benign. Now, everyone is very prudent about wearing floppy hats and slathering on the sunscreen-especially on the face (nose)

When I think back when I was a teen and young adult, I shudder at how foolish I was basking in the sun practically marinating myself in a blend of just baby oil or MAYBE Hawaiian Tropical Oil (but never anything with any SPF in it!!) Also, we would lay out with these reflector sheets to attact as much sun as possible. HELLO??? When we moved to California and the first few times I went to the beach, I remember getting some of the worst burns in my life. One time I think I might have received sun poisoning I was so ill. (Also, remember...I have lupus, although undiagnosed at that time--being in the sun is horrible for lupus patients!!) As I got older (ahem, and wiser, I thought..), I started to go to the tanning salon. Living in California, it was important to always have a beautiful tan (and having a full time job meant that I couldn't just laze around at the beach all day--but it was important to at least look like I could! ) The CRAZY things we do!! Anyway, we were "told" that tanning salons were just as safe as the sun--even safer.

Life goes on....priorities change...I don't know when I stopped going to the salon...now I have lupus and I NEVER deliberately "lay out" in the sun. Even just a five minute walk out in the sun causes my fair skin to burn because of the various meds I am on so I have to be very careful to always try to either cover up if I am going to be outside (or carry a parasol/umbrella) or carry sunscreen around with me 24/7.

My question for YOU this week. Have your attitudes about sun exposure changed? Has skin cancer affected you personally?

Aloha Friday #10

Aloha everyone!It's Friday, which means that over at An Island Life it is time for Aloha Friday. In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day that they take it easy and look forward to the weekend. So on Fridays we take it easy on posting, too. Therefore, she asks a simple question for you to answer. Nothing that requires a lengthy response. Then everyone else asks a simple question of their own blog for others to answer.



National Library Week is the 2nd week of April each week and National Library Day this year is April 14th. My question this week is regarding libraries. What is your earliest library memory OR what is your favorite library memory?


The library was a special place for me growing up. I went to Catholic School and we lived way out in a rural area. Each day I would "carpool" with my dad into the city and go to school. After school, I would walk a short distance to the library and spend about three hours each day there until he could pick me up for the drive home. At first, I really HATED spending time at the library. I wanted to be home playing with my other friends or watching tv--doing SOMETHING.



However, I soon developed a routine that lasted the five years and I feel changed my life. First, I would, of course, do my homework. After that, I started to discover the library. The librarians were always so nice and helpful (I think that they were just thankful that I was a good kid and didn't cause any trouble every day!!) Anyway, they would suggest different books that I might like and soon I became a "reader".


We always read as a family but I soon discovered that I had my own tastes and that there was an entire world of books out there. I could travel back in time or ahead to the future. I could go to other worlds or to outer space. I could be a girl detective or a student nurse. I could read biographies about famous people. The library is STILL very important to me. Even today, I check out books and we have a wonderful community library that delivers books to me because of my medical condition.


Ok...now it's YOUR turn...what's your earliest library memory or favorite library moment? If you leave your comment-I will return your visit :) Have a great weekend...

Update: Last week's question was what was your favorite toy? Answers ranged from Mrs. Beasley, Chrissy and Sunshine dolls to Pound Puppies, and Leggos. Thanks to those who took the time to comment. I return ALL visits!!

Aloha Friday #09

Aloha everyone!
It's Friday, which means that over at An Island Life it is time for Aloha Friday. In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day that they take it easy and look forward to the weekend. So on Fridays we take it easy on posting, too. Therefore, she asks a simple question for you to answer. Nothing that requires a lengthy response. Then everyone else asks a simple question of their own blog for others to answer.

This week's question is another easy one. What was your favorite toy as a child? Do you still have it?? My favorite toy was my Mrs. Beasley doll. I just loved that doll (and yes I still have her--she doesn't have her glasses--is missing her dress--is pretty filthy (I could clean her up--but I think she looks LOVED!!) Oh--and somewhere along the line--I decided to give her a haircut--LOL!! She sort of looks like a punk rocker now!! Ok...so now I want to hear from YOU. Don't be shy...

UPDATE: Last week's question was a fun one with a variety of answers. Thanks to ALL who participated.

Aloha Friday #8

Aloha everyone!
It's Friday, which means that over at An Island Life it is time for Aloha Friday. In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day that they take it easy and look forward to the weekend. So on Fridays we take it easy on posting, too. Therefore, she asks a simple question for you to answer. Nothing that requires a lengthy response. Then everyone else asks a simple question of their own blog for others to answer.


Ok...here is my question for today. It's a pretty easy one. Tell us three adjectives that describe your day today.

My day? crazy, hectic, irritating (I have to go to the doctor's office-enough said?? LOL!!)

Update:Thanks for all who stopped by last week. I love that there are SO many other people who love to read as much as I do and there are SO many other good top five lists out there. The Bible was on the majority of the lists :) and Twilight--LOL!

Aloha Friday #7

Aloha everyone!
It's Friday, which means that over at An Island Life it is time for Aloha Friday. In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day that they take it easy and look forward to the weekend. So on Fridays we take it easy on posting, too. Therefore, she asks a simple question for you to answer. Nothing that requires a lengthy response. Then everyone else asks a simple question of their own blog for others to answer.

Anyone who knows me well, knows that I am an AVID reader so this week's question is going to be about reading. You are going to be stuck on a deserted island and only get to take FIVE books with you--which books are you going to take with you and why??

Me? I would first bring along the Bible as it has EVERYTHING--even poetry. The second book would have to be Jane Austen--probably Sense & Sensibility. I have just always enjoyed Austen's writing style (and have read all of her works--even the more obscure books.) The third book would be To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. Again-just beautiful writing and a timeless story. Number four would probably be the book I am reading now--Breaking Dawn (just for a contemporary book) and Number Five would be the Velveteen Rabbit (my alltime fave children's story).

Ok..your turn--don't be shy--leave your comments--and Have a Super Weekend :)

Aloha Friday #6

Aloha everyone!It's Friday, which means that over at An Island Life it is time for Aloha Friday. In Hawaii, Aloha
Friday is the day that they take it easy and look forward to the weekend. So on Fridays we take it easy on posting, too. Therefore, she asks a simple question for you to answer. Nothing that requires a lengthy response. Then everyone else asks a simple question of their own blog for others to answer

.
Happy Friday 13th, everyone :) and Welcome to Aloha Friday #6. What is the BEST advice a parent (or grandparent) ever gave you? Will you in turn pass it along to your kids?


The best advice my mom ever gave me?? When I was a kid, there was this AWFUL bully on our street. She used to just go around terrorizing everyone. Well, eventually, it became MY turn to get my "beating". Although this girl was two years younger that I was, she outweighed me by a good 20 pounds and she was just MEAN!! I went to my mom and said "So and So" wants to beat me up and I am scared. She told me to pretty much call her bluff. Genius, right?? Just say--ok...I'll meet you wherever--can't WAIT!! And guess what?? She never showed up!! Now, of course, who KNOWS what would have happened if she actually would have shown up--I probably would have gotten my butt kicked (but I would have liked to think I could have fought a BIT!!) but seriously..this was the FIRST (and only time, I think) that anyone had stood up to this bully! Anyway, I used this "calling bluff defense" method, several more times throughout grade school and even into highschool and not ONCE did it fail me!! So, thanks, Mom :)

Aloha Friday #5

Aloha everyone!
It's Friday, which means that over at An Island Life it is time for Aloha Friday. In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day that they take it easy and look forward to the weekend. So on Fridays we take it easy on posting, too. Therefore, she asks a simple question for you to answer. Nothing that requires a lengthy response. Then everyone else asks a simple question of their own blog for others to answer.

My question this week is this: If you could direct the movie of YOUR life...what would be the Title. Who would you cast as YOU?? Who would cast as supporting cast? (Leading Man? Supporting Actress?) Be Creative! Come on...let your Francis Ford Coppola loose and DIRECT the movie of your life.

Mine? The title would be: As You Wish

Who would I want to star as me? LOL! Geez, that is a hard question...I guess Valerie Bertinelli. I think she is the person I think best suits me in personality and looks. Unless this is a "fantasy" movie and then, of course, I would be a size 2 and blonde!! For my husband--he sort of looks a bit like Tom Selleck so I guess I would choose him (although I would say he would disagree!)

Ok...your turn!! Please don't be shy!!







Update: Thanks for everyone who stopped by last week :) and a HUGE thanks, too, for all those who still took the time to comment even though they might not have been participating in Lent. Also, I was remiss in remembering those who are preparing for Passover as well. Anyway, there were thirteen responses and here are results: (Drumroll....please...)

Not giving up anything or Not participating in Lent-5
Giving up chocolate/sweets-4
Giving up Soda-1
Getting up earlier/Writing More-1
Participating in Passover-1

Aloha Friday #4

Ok...this week's question is about Lent. A lot of people give up a bad habit (smoking, cursing). Some give up the same thing that they have tried to give up for years (sweets--believe 40 days/nights without ANY chocolate-nary a hershey kiss is E-X-T-R-E-M-E-L-Y difficult and shouldn't be undertaken by those in ill health *) Others decided to become more charitable and instead of what NOT to do--they choose to DO more...give more to the poor and hungry (almsgiving) Perhaps work at the soupkitchen on Easter Sunday distributing food for the hungry. Still others, withdraw even deeper within themselves and decide to offer more time with God (reading Scripture, praying the rosary and novenas). These are just SOME of the examples of things that people do for their Lenten Pentance. If you are a Christian and are participating in Lent, what are you planning on doing this season? If you are not planning on doing anything, just notate that as well...I want to hear from everyone. DON'T be SHY!! (If you have questions about Lent, just check out my website, and it will have some FAST, FUN FACTS for you.

For me...I plan on reading more scripture and praying more....Ok...Now it's YOUR turn...

Update: Thanks SO much for everyone who played last week during the Theme Song Question. Here are the results:

Unwritten-Natasha Bedingfield
The Remedy-Jason Mraz
Diamond in the Rough-Shawn Colvin
Lost-ColdPlay
Fly Away-Lenny Kravitz
Who Needs Sleep-Bare Naked Ladies
These Islands-Danny Couch
Friends Theme-The Rembrandts

So, don't forget to check out THIS week's question...don't be shy...ok!! And as always, I appreciate all who stop by and I do try to return all visit and answer YOUR question!!







Have a great Weekend. Be Kind to One Another. Smile at a stranger :) and Hang in there....

Until Next Time....
Gentle hugs,

Shelley

Aloha Friday #3 What's Your Theme Song?

Ok...does anyone remember the show Ally McBeal? For those of you who are mere BABES or who just don't pay attention to things like TV--Ally McBeal was a tv on in the late 90s starring Calista Flockhart. Anyway, remember the episode when she was told to get a "personal theme song?" I LOVE that idea and that is MY question this week. What is your theme song? What is the song that gets you going? What song really describes YOU or maybe the life and/or people around you? (It can be a song that is popular today or a song that was a hit 10,20,30 years ago. This is YOUR theme song!! So, don't be shy and tell us YOUR theme song?

My Theme Song? Unwritten by Natasha Bedigfield. The lyrics are truly beautiful.





UPDATE: Thanks for all of your comments last week. Our crushes ranged from real life (Brandt, Clint, music teacher, Josh...ALL THE BOYS!!) to singers (Andy Gibb, Barry Manilow, Davy from the Monkees, Jim Morrison from the Doors and Shaun Cassidy. We also crushed on tv stars like Johnathan Taylor Thomas, Lee Majors (Six Million Dollar Man) , Jack Wild (Jimmy aka H.R Puff and Stuff Boy) and Susan Dey from the Partridge Family.

Again...Thanks for your comments--don't be SHY and please answer THIS week's question...What is YOUR personal Theme song?

Aloha Friday

If you had an extra hour in the day, what would you spend it doing? Please leave your comments below :)

Shelley