Signs of the end of November - more blog memes than you can stand.  Here's the 40 Things one that circulated a few weeks ago, and I'm grasping for it like a drowning man clinging to a ... duck?  Yes, to a very buoyant duck.

*   *   * 40 Things *  *   *

1.  Do you like bleu cheese?  Nope.  Can't stand anything both blue and moldy.  Or spelled with the e in the wrong order.
2.  Have you ever smoked?  Pot?  No.  Cigarettes?  A few times, and I regret all of those times.  Waste of lung power for sure.
3.  Do you own a gun?  No.  I don't own things that are dangerous for me to use.  See also: stove
4.  Favorite type of food?  These days?  Anything.  But usually,  I'm always game for fresh fruit. 
5. Favorite type of music?  Broad range here.  Classical, techno, rap, rock, alternative, moody crap like Sigur Ros, big fan of Irish bands (The Frames, Damien Rice, U2, etc), song parodies like those by Weird Al ... and I really, really like the Law & Order theme song.
6. What do you think of hot dogs?  I don't often think of them, and at picnics, I most often choose their hamburger friends over them.
7. Favorite Christmas movie?  Who doesn't love A Christmas Story?  Classic.
8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning?  Pancake batter.
9. Can you do push ups?  I used to be able to.  I haven't tried in the last few months because my levels of awkward and uncoordinated are extremely high these days.
10. What’s your favorite piece of jewelry?  My wedding ring.  And my SUM necklace. 
11. Favorite hobby?  Blogging, I think.  And then photography, with a side of traveling. 
12. Do you have A. D. D.?  Y. E.  S.
13. Do you wear glasses/contacts?  No - as irony would have it, I'm a 23 year type 1 diabetes veteran with perfect vision.  Go figure.
14. Middle name?  Used to be Lynn, but when I got married, I changed it to Morrone.
15. Name three thoughts at this exact moment:  The gerber daisies on the dining room table look really pretty.  Siah and Prussia are fighting in the crinkle tube.  I can't wait to watch Nip/Tuck next week.
16. Name three drinks you regularly drink:  Water, coffee, and orange juice.
17. Current worry?  Hoping that all is well with the BSparl.
18. Current hate right now?  I don't harbor any hate these days.  Too much other crap to do.
19. Favorite place to be?  Home.
20. How did you bring in the new year?  In style.
21. Someplace you’d like to go?  I'd like to to Europe again.  And I'd also like to visit Montana and drive around where there isn't a speed limit.
22. Name three people who will complete this.  I think I'm one of the last diabetes bloggers to tackle this meme, but NaBloPoMo has burnt me right the F out, so I'm grasping at straws.  Meme it up if you haven't already!
23. Do you own slippers?  No, but my mom does.  She calls them "pippers."  And that's what I call them, too.
24. What color shirt are you wearing?  Blue.  A different shade than my blue sweatpants.  And also a different shade than my blue bathrobe.  I'm dressed like a pregnant smurf.
25. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets?  They have their perks.
26. Can you whistle?  Not even close.  I sound like I'm snorkeling when I try to whistle.
27. Where are you now?  Sitting at the dining room table in my home.  Being watched by cats.
28. Would you be a pirate?  What makes you think I'm not a pirate? 
29. What songs do you sing in the shower?  I like "Oh Pretty Baby" and anything by Guster.
30. Favorite Girl’s Name?  GirlSparl. 
31. Favorite boy’s name?  BoySparl.  ;)
32. What is in your pocket right now?  A quarter, a test strip, and my insulin pump.
33. Last thing that made you laugh?  Chris.  He's a strange ranger.
34. What vehicle do you drive?  A black Honda Civic.
35. Worst injury you’ve ever had?  There was this one time, way back when I was a kid, when my pancreas died.  It didn't hurt at the time, but it hurts sometimes now.
36. Do you love where you live?  I do.
37. How many TVs do you have in your house?  One.  We aren't TV junkies.
38. How many computers do you have in your house?  Whoops - okay, we have five computers.  Because we are junkies in this respect. 
39. If you changed your job, what would it be?  Folk singer with a side gig as a puppeteer. 
40. If you were granted three wishes, what would they be?
  Healthy baby, happy family, and happy Kerri in third person.

If you're in the throes of NaBloPoMo and you need a post-Thanksgiving meme, have at.  :)

Posted by Kerri Morrone Sparling at 12:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (5) | TrackBacks (0)

What happens when NaBloPoMo is almost blown by a Saturday night?  Memes come out to play.  It's that one-word answer one from last year, and I'm recycling it because it's easier from my Blackberry.  :) 

(If you're looking for fodder for a post, grab this meme and run with it!)

1. Where is your cell phone?  Hands.
2. Your significant other? Talented.
3. Your Hair? Long.
4. Your Skin?  Clean.
5. Your mother? Loved.
6. Your favorite thing? BSparl.
7. Your dream last night? Nonexistent.
8. Your favorite drink?  Water.
9. Your dream/goal? Happy.
10. The room you’re in?  Theater.
11. Your ex?  Gentle.
12. Your fear? Unhappiness.
13.Where do you want to be in 6 years?  Older.
14.Where were you last night? Bar.  (Drinking water.  I'm a cheap date.)
15.What you’re not? Hyper.
16.Muffins? Tops!
17.One of your wish list items? Bsparl!!
18.Where you grew up?  Rhody.
19.The last thing you did?  Laughed.
20.What are you wearing?  Scarf.
21.Your TV?  Home. 
22.Your pets?  Dim.
23. Your computer?  New.
24. Your life? Changing.
25. Your mood?  Calm.
26. Missing someone?  Grammie.
27. Your car? Black.
28. Something you’re not wearing? Distress.  (I'm wearing dat dress instead.)
29. Favorite Store? Mall.
30. Your summer?  Best.
31. Like someone?  Plenty.
32. Your favorite color? Green.
33. When is the last time you laughed?  Recently.
34. Last time you cried? Today.
35. Who will respond to this?  Bloggers?
36. Whose answers are you anxious to see?  Siah's!

Posted by Kerri Morrone Sparling at 10:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBacks (0)

It's the meme taking the chronic illness bloggers by storm ... and I wanted to cram this one in before Invisible Illness Week came to a close.  Here's my edition of 30 Things About My Invisible Illness You May Not Know.

   1. The illness I live with is: type 1 diabetes
   2. I was diagnosed with it in the year: 1986
   3. But I had symptoms since: the summer before
   4. The biggest adjustment I've had to make is: adjusting to the changing demands of a disease that doesn't sit still for even a second.
   5. Most people assume: that diabetes isn't a serious disease. They couldn't be more wrong.
   6. The hardest part about mornings are: when the start out of range.  Or with a cat on my head. 
   7. My favorite medical TV show is: I actually don't like medical TV shows.  I'd rather watch Family Guy.
   8. A gadget I couldn't live without is: my glucose meter.
   9. The hardest part about nights are: having low blood sugars in the middle of them.
  10. Each day I take 2 pills & vitamins: I take a prenatal vitamin, blood pressure medication.  And then there's that whole "insulin" thing 24/7.
  11. Regarding alternative treatments: I think that insulin is the only course of treatment that works for type 1 diabetes right now.  But I believe that an overall healthy lifestyle is important, regardless of someone's medical history.
  12. If I had to choose between an invisible illness or visible I would choose: These choices suck.  I'd rather not have any illness, thank you very much.
  13. Regarding working and career: I work.  And I have a career. And I'm finally making diabetes work for me, instead of against me, in a financial sense.
  14. People would be surprised to know: that it's not as easy as we make it look.  Sometimes it hurts in every way.
  15. The hardest thing to accept about my new reality has been: that I have no memory of the "old" reality.
  16. Something I never thought I could do with my illness that I did was: get married.  I'm not sure what put the thought in my head as a child, but the doctors scared the pants off my family and I when I was diagnosed.  They had us convinced that I might not be healthy as an adult, and that I may be "hard to love."  Pfffft.
  17. The commercials about my illness: are never about MY illness.  They are always about type 2 diabetes.
  18. Something I really miss doing since I was diagnosed is: I have no idea - um, I'm sure I liked Halloween more before I was diagnosed, in second grade. 
  19. It was really hard to have to give up: hoping for a cure.
  20. A new hobby I have taken up since my diagnosis is: ... these questions are hard because my diabetes has been in the game for almost all of my life.  I don't know what new hobbies I picked up in 1986, but you can bet that there weren't any hobbies I avoided as a result of being diabetic.
  21. If I could have one day of feeling normal again I would: do nothing.  That would be awesome, to just sit around and hang out, without worrying about a single number.
  22. My illness has taught me: to be strong.  And to be realistic.
  23. One thing people say that gets under my skin is:  "That's not a big deal. It's better than __________"  You know what?  It is way better than a lot of things.  But that doesn't make it any less hard some days.
  24. But I love it when people: really try to understand, and see me as a person, not just as a diabetic.
  25. My favorite motto, scripture, quote that gets me through tough times is: "This, too, shall pass."
  26. When someone is diagnosed I'd like to tell them: that they aren't alone.  And they'll be okay.
  27. Something that has surprised me about living with an illness is: that it's not the definition of who I am.  It's just a small part of the bigger ... problem person.  ;)
  28. The nicest thing someone did for me when I wasn't feeling well was: leave me alone. 
  29. I'm involved with Invisible Illness Week because: if we don't raise our voices, we remain invisible.
  30. The fact that you read this list makes me feel: ... like you might post your own list. 

Get involved with Invisible Illnes Week and let people know that just because you can't see it doesn't mean it isn't there.  And have a great weekend!

Posted by Kerri Morrone Sparling at 03:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (8) | TrackBacks (1)

Stolen from George, who lifted it from LeeAnn, who got it from ... well, I'm not sure.  But I'm completely mentally spent, so I needed a meme to help bring my brain back up to speed.  Here we go!

1. I’ve come to realize that my chest-size … is a weird topic to discuss at the beginning of an Internet meme.

2. I’ve come to realize that my job … is something I'm grateful for, and am sad to leave behind.  But I am so excited to see what's next.

3. I’ve come to realize that when I’m driving … I am usually going over the speed limit.

4. I’ve come to realize that I need … and appreciate love.

5. I’ve come to realize that I have lost … very little when compared to others, and I grateful for my life's opportunities.

6. I’ve come to realize that I hate it when … I lose my patience and my compassion.

7. I’ve come to realize that if I’m drunk … I'm fun.  And sometimes I dance on bars.

8. I’ve come to realize that money … shouldn't be the only reason why people stay at their jobs.

9. I’ve come to realize that certain people … will never like me.  And I've also come to realize that their acceptance doesn't matter to me.

10. I’ve come to realize that I’ll always … have my integrity.  And hopefully my teeth.

11. I’ve come to realize that my siblings … and I have so much in common but are so, so different.

12. I’ve come to realize that my mom … is my best friend.

13. I’ve come to realize that my cell phone … might be my second-best-friend.

14. I’ve come to realize that when I woke up this morning … I had a cat on my head.  And one at my feet.  Yet Chris remained untouched by the feline irritants.  What gives?

15. I’ve come to realize that last night before I went to sleep … I fell in love with him all over again.

16. I’ve come to realize that right now I am thinking … that memes are a good way to get my brain stirring again.

17. I’ve come to realize that my dad … and I have a relationship that we've fought hard for and have earned.

18. I’ve come to realize that when I get on Facebook … I promptly update my status to reflect something mundane.  I have to stop doing that.

19. I’ve come to realize that today … will never be duplicated, so I should go do something fun.

20. I’ve come to realize that tonight … will end with my husband's arms around me ... and most like an issue involving the cats.  (See No. 14.)

21. I’ve come to realize that tomorrow … is bringing me closer to my future.

22. I’ve come to realize that I really want to … be a mom.

23. I’ve come to realize that the person who is most likely to repost this is … up to you.

24. I’ve come to realize that life … is what you make of it.

25. I’ve come to realize that this weekend … is mine!!

26. I’ve come to realize that marriage … means family.  With or without children, we are still a family.

27. I’ve come to realize that my friends … make me so happy.

28. I’ve come to realize that this year … is one of tremendous change and I am so, so excited.

29. I’ve come to realize that my ex is … a wonderful person.

30. I’ve come to realize that maybe I should … sleep a bit more. The bags under my eyes are throwing out a pretty direct hint.

31. I’ve come to realize that I love … people I've never even met.

32. I’ve come to realize that I don’t understand … anything yet, even though I've been on this planet for 30 years.  

33. I’ve come to realize my past … is something I've learned from.  And am thankful for.

34. I’ve come to realize that parties … don't stop 'til they reach the top.

35. I’ve come to realize that I’m totally terrified … of memes.

If your brain is foggy this morning, grab a cup of (decaf? blah) coffee and settle down with this meme.  :) 

Posted by Kerri Morrone Sparling at 10:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (10) | TrackBacks (0)

Karen has graced me with a letter with which to meme ... and it's the almighty F.

I have a good relationship with F.  F and I go waaaaay back.  And Karen made me promise to keep this clean, so I will just say now that there will be no mentions of "f-bombs" or my inability to watch my mouth.  I promise.

According to the meme rules, I'm supposed to list ten things, in no particular order, that begin with F and pertain to my existence.  Here's the F-ing List: 

1. Farts.  Classy or not, I cannot pretend to not be entertained by a good fart joke.  Even though it's crass and juvenile, I'm still giggling when someone quips a clever one about gaseous emisions.
2. Fancy Feast.  The Fancy Feast commercials are entertaining, and I once had the desire to force Abby to eat daintily from a crystal bowl, her whiskers barely skimming the edge of the tasty morsels and a napkin raised to her lips every few moments.  Instead, that image was shattered by Abby's tendency to place her whole face into a bowl of food and inhale until every bit is devoured.   
3. Flying.  Am not a fan.  Though I am already scheduled to take several trips this year, I'm already looking forward to refilling my xanax prescription and achieving my own, personal cruising altitude before taking off. 
4. Friends.  I love my friends.  From my college roommates (all six of them) to my childhood buddies to newly-minted friendships to my dear NBF and Batman, I cherish every friendship I have.
5. Frickafrackin'.  Yosemite Sam had a temper problem, and he was notorious for spewing off a creative and borderline indescribable string of curse words when he was angry.  I indentify with Yosemite Sam, and have often substituted "frickafrackin'" for the other words I'm thinking of. 
   
6. Fired up.  In keeping with the aforementioned "frickafrackin'," I tend to get fired up pretty quickly.  Italian temper?  Just plain short-fused?  Either way, I'm quick to get loud and I don't shy away from confrontation. 
   
7. Flippant.  This is a word that my father throws at me all the time.  "Don't be flippant, Kerri."  I remember him saying this to me when I was seven years old.  I also remember him saying this last week.  Whoops.
8. Fandango.  This word has been stuck in my head since those paper bag puppets started singing about it.  I would use this service to order movie tickets but I'm terrified that the paper bag puppet people will show up somehow.
9. Film. Even before Chris, I was a movie buff.  And now that I'm married to a filmmaker, I'm just about up to my eyeballs in films.  We see a lot of movies, and there's nothing quite like the experience of a movie in the movie surround sound, with the red seats and a bucket of buttery popcorn.
10. Funny.  Back in middle school, I wasn't voted Most Likely to Anything or Best Something Else - I was Class Clown.  It happened again in college.  I cannot figure this out - I do my best to be serious, but I am not often successful and usually I end up ferreting out the funny in most situations.

Fin!

If you want to take a stab at this meme, leave a comment and I'll toss a letter your way. 

Posted by Kerri Morrone Sparling at 10:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (13) | TrackBacks (0)

Oh, the food meme.  And what better day to post this than the day after Thanksgiving, when we're all recovering from the non-stop indulgences?  (Also, what NabloPoMo is complete without a few memes tossed in for good measure?)  Stolen from Lee Ann, here are my answers:

1. Can you cook? If yes, do you like to cook?
I can barely cook, but there are moments when I make attempts.  And I halfway enjoy these moments, when the food doesn't burn.

2. When do you eat with your whole family?
Chris and I eat together all the time.  But my whole family?  Like the whole mess of them?  Big holidays only, unfortunately.  We live far away.

3. What do you eat for breakfast?
Greek yogurt, a protein bar, or oatmeal.  But always, always coffee.

4. When, where and how do you eat on weekdays?
I eat predictably on weekdays, usually having breakfast at work (at my desk), lunch at home (sometimes joined by a cat), and dinner either home with my husband or out.  How do I eat?  I eat with my face.  what kind of question is that?

5. How often do you eat out (in a restaurant)?
We love to dine out - it's tops on list of fun things to do.  We used to go out four or five days a week, but with the economy tanking, we're down to only about two times - including our Sunday breakfast ritual when we're in CT for the weekend.  :)

6. How often do you order delivery/take-out?
Very rarely - maybe once a month, if that?

7. Regarding no. 5 and 6: Say there weren’t financial reasons would you do this more often?
Like I mentioned before, we love, love dining out.  If we were rich, we'd do it every night.

8. Are there any “standard dishes” you serve regularly?
The green ones.  I like the green dishes best.  ;)

Unfortunately, I am not a talented cook so I do not have a standard dish.  I can make chicken salad, excellent minestrone and lentil soup, and eggs any way you like 'em, but that's about it.  Above and beyond that, we dine out.  

9. Have you ever cooked for more than 6 persons?
Yes, I hosted Thanksgiving dinner a few years ago with my then-boyfriend.  He was a good cook.  I ... I encouraged him.

10. Do you cook every day?
No.  But I eat every day.  I'm still trying to figure out how I accomplish one without the other.

11. Have you ever tried recipes from blogs?
Yes.  The internet saves me on a regular basis.

12. Who cooks more frequently at your home?
My husband, because he is actually good at it.

13. And who cooks better?
See above.  But I'd also venture to guess that Siah is a better cook than me.

14. Do you cook totally different compared to your mother/parents?
Yes.  My mother cooked.  I do not.  

15. If yes, do you nevertheless eat at your parents?
I like my mom's cooking.  And my dad is a good restaurant date.  And I like hanging out with them, so sure.

16. Are you a vegetarian or could you imagine being one?
I'm not a vegetarian, but I believe I could give it a whirl for a few weeks.  I know I would miss chicken, though.  But I like a good veggie burger now and again, so maybe.

17. What would you like to cook which you haven’t dared to make yet?
I'd like to make a meal that doesn't taste bland.  And I've dared to do it, but I just haven't really accomplished that goal yet, persay.  :)

18. Do you prefer cooking or baking?
I can't cook, but I can bake.  I can make awesome flourless chocolate cake, banana bread, cheesecake, popovers, brownies, cookies, cakes ... basically, anything I "shouldn't" eat, I can make with precision and prowess.  Cruel irony.

19. What is your greatest misery in the kitchen?
That the dishes are never really done.

20. What do you dislike?
I don't like seafood (except New England clam chowdah).  And I don't like eating anything gamey.  I also despise curry.  And I also dislike war, economic crisis, and anything with more than four legs.

Need a meme to help round out your NaBloPoMo?  Grab this one!

Posted by Kerri Morrone Sparling at 12:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBacks (0)

Oh, the food meme.  And what better day to post this than the day after Thanksgiving, when we're all recovering from the non-stop indulgences?  (Also, what NabloPoMo is complete without a few memes tossed in for good measure?)  Stolen from Lee Ann, here are my answers:

1. Can you cook? If yes, do you like to cook?
I can barely cook, but there are moments when I make attempts.  And I halfway enjoy these moments, when the food doesn't burn.

2. When do you eat with your whole family?
Chris and I eat together all the time.  But my whole family?  Like the whole mess of them?  Big holidays only, unfortunately.  We live far away.

3. What do you eat for breakfast?
Greek yogurt, a protein bar, or oatmeal.  But always, always coffee.

4. When, where and how do you eat on weekdays?
I eat predictably on weekdays, usually having breakfast at work (at my desk), lunch at home (sometimes joined by a cat), and dinner either home with my husband or out.  How do I eat?  I eat with my face.  what kind of question is that?

5. How often do you eat out (in a restaurant)?
We love to dine out - it's tops on list of fun things to do.  We used to go out four or five days a week, but with the economy tanking, we're down to only about two times - including our Sunday breakfast ritual when we're in CT for the weekend.  :)

6. How often do you order delivery/take-out?
Very rarely - maybe once a month, if that?

7. Regarding no. 5 and 6: Say there weren’t financial reasons would you do this more often?
Like I mentioned before, we love, love dining out.  If we were rich, we'd do it every night.

8. Are there any “standard dishes” you serve regularly?
The green ones.  I like the green dishes best.  ;)

Unfortunately, I am not a talented cook so I do not have a standard dish.  I can make chicken salad, excellent minestrone and lentil soup, and eggs any way you like 'em, but that's about it.  Above and beyond that, we dine out.  

9. Have you ever cooked for more than 6 persons?
Yes, I hosted Thanksgiving dinner a few years ago with my then-boyfriend.  He was a good cook.  I ... I encouraged him.

10. Do you cook every day?
No.  But I eat every day.  I'm still trying to figure out how I accomplish one without the other.

11. Have you ever tried recipes from blogs?
Yes.  The internet saves me on a regular basis.

12. Who cooks more frequently at your home?
My husband, because he is actually good at it.

13. And who cooks better?
See above.  But I'd also venture to guess that Siah is a better cook than me.

14. Do you cook totally different compared to your mother/parents?
Yes.  My mother cooked.  I do not.  

15. If yes, do you nevertheless eat at your parents?
I like my mom's cooking.  And my dad is a good restaurant date.  And I like hanging out with them, so sure.

16. Are you a vegetarian or could you imagine being one?
I'm not a vegetarian, but I believe I could give it a whirl for a few weeks.  I know I would miss chicken, though.  But I like a good veggie burger now and again, so maybe.

17. What would you like to cook which you haven’t dared to make yet?
I'd like to make a meal that doesn't taste bland.  And I've dared to do it, but I just haven't really accomplished that goal yet, persay.  :)

18. Do you prefer cooking or baking?
I can't cook, but I can bake.  I can make awesome flourless chocolate cake, banana bread, cheesecake, popovers, brownies, cookies, cakes ... basically, anything I "shouldn't" eat, I can make with precision and prowess.  Cruel irony.

19. What is your greatest misery in the kitchen?
That the dishes are never really done.

20. What do you dislike?
I don't like seafood (except New England clam chowdah).  And I don't like eating anything gamey.  I also despise curry.  And I also dislike war, economic crisis, and anything with more than four legs.

Need a meme to help round out your NaBloPoMo?  Grab this one!

Posted by Kerri Morrone Sparling at 12:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBacks (0)

It's November.  It's NaBloPoMo.  And while I have a lot I want to write about, there isn't time today.

So I've tapped the Dorkabetic archives (thanks, Hannah!) for this one-word-answer meme that went around a few weeks ago.  I love a good NaBloPoMo meme.  They bail me out of the jam every time.  ;)

1. Where is your cell phone?  Table.
2. Your significant other? Dashing. (Not "dashing" like "running fast."  Dashing like cute.)
3. Your Hair? Ponytail.
4. Your Skin?  Moisturized.
5. Your mother? Adorable.
6. Your favorite thing? Hugs.
7. Your dream last night? Terrifying.
8. Your favorite drink? Chai.
9. Your dream/goal? Author.
10. The room you’re in? Living.
11. Your ex? Kind.
12. Your fear? Flying.
13.Where do you want to be in 6 years? Motherhood.
14.Where were you last night? NYC.
15.What you’re not? Patient.
16.Muffins? Blueberry!
17.One of your wish list items? MacBook.
18.Where you grew up? RI.
19.The last thing you did? Typed.
20.What are you wearing? T-shirt.
21.Your TV? Off.
22.Your pets? Plentiful.
23. Your computer? Laptop.
24. Your life? Fun.
25. Your mood? Busy.
26. Missing someone? Grammie.
27. Your car? Honda.
28. Something you’re not wearing? Make-up.
29. Favorite Store? AnnTaylor (mushed it into one word to fit with the rules.)
30. Your summer?  Tan.
31. Like someone? Many.
32. Your favorite color? Blue.
33. When is the last time you laughed? Seconds.
34. Last time you cried? Thursday.
35. Who will respond to this? I think I'm last to do it.  (Whoops.  Couldn't stick with the one wordiness.)
36. Whose answers are you anxious to see?  Yours!

If you need to grab a meme for this rainy Saturday, go for it.  :)

Posted by Kerri Morrone Sparling at 11:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (4) | TrackBacks (0)

Tagged by Courtney at Traveling Thoughts, I'm overdue for a meme these days.  Bring on the Crazy Eights! 

8 Things I’m Passionate About.
   1. Writing.
   2. Love.
   3. Friends.
   4. My family.
   5. Being healthy.
   6. Fantastic and evocative music - all kinds and styles and volume levels.  
   7. Reading everything I can get my mitts on.
   8. Diabetes advocacy.

8 Things I Want to Do Before I Die.
   1. Have a child.
   2. Visit Europe.
   3. Find a hidden treasure.
   4. Bury a time capsule and then open it twenty years later.
   5. Drink wine at a restaurant in Italy.
   6. Live to a ripe and feisty old age.
   7. Learn to play the piano.
   8. Make a difference.

8 Things I Say Often.
   1. "Let's get coffee."
   2. "I can't find my kit."
   3. "Can I borrow a pen?  I swear I'll give it back."  (I never do.)
   4. "Do you have any snacky bits?"
   5.  "Blaaaaaaahhhging."
   6.  "I love you."
   7.  "Damn it!"
   8.  "Where's my camera?"

(It seems that I ask a lot of questions.)

8 Books I’ve Read Recently.
   1. The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls
   2.  Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris (oh, how I love him)
   3.  The Princess Bride edited by William Goldman
   4.  Writer's Market 2008
   5.  19 Minutes by Jodi Picoult
   6.  The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield
   7.  ...

Those are the books I've read in the last few weeks.  I can't remember two more.  That's shameful!  I used to read all the time - at the hairdresser when I was little, on the bus, in the shower (yes), during lunch breaks at my old job - but lately I haven't had much time for reading.  

8 Songs I Could Listen to Over and Over.
   1. With Or Without You - U2
   2. Street Spirit - Radiohead
   3. Fitzcarraldo - The Frames
   4. Hysteria - Muse
   5. Sweet Virginia - Gomez (acoustic version)
   6. Paperback Writer - The Beatles (I used to foolishly think this was my theme song.)
   7. The Blower's Daughter - Damien Rice
   8. Happy Birthday (cha cha cha) - Sung by my nephew, C.

8 Things That Attract Me to My Best Friends.
   1. They make me laugh.
   2.  They're inspiring.
   3.  I can count on them for ANYTHING.
   4.  They're patient with my chaotic schedule, short fuse, and disappearing acts.
   5.  They love me as I am.
   6.  They make me want to be a better person.
   7.  I consider them family.
   8.  They are open to change.

People I Think Should Do Crazy 8s.
   1.  Whoever would like to fill their day with a meme.

Posted by Kerri Morrone Sparling at 04:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (11) | TrackBacks (0)

And so we have another meme.  Yes, I'm cutting corners here for NaBloPoMo, but I'm sick, damnit!

1.  Were you named after anyone?  No.  But my father did chose the names for my brother and sister and I.   But I do like my name and am again on the fence about what to do with the “Morrone” part of it when I get married.  I’m currently leaning towards swapping out my middle name, Lynn, and taking on Morrone as my middle name.  Kerri Morrone Sparling.

2. When was the last time you cried? The day before Thanksgiving.  I miss my grandmother terribly.

3. Do you like your handwriting? I despise my cursive (it’s completely illegible) but my printing is tiny, neat, and precise.  I write like a typewriter.

4. What is your favorite lunch meat? Chicken breast, thickly sliced.  Yum!

5. Do you have kids?  Not yet.

6. If you were another person, would you be friends with you? I think so.  I’d have so much in common with me.  ;)

7. Do you use sarcasm a lot?  Of course not.

8. Do you still have your tonsils? I do.

9. Would you bungee jump?  No thank you.

10. What is your favorite cereal? Ah, the guilty indulgence of Golden Grahams.  I love that stuff, and there’s a guy in my office who has a box of G.G. stashed in his desk.  It’s been a serious show of willpower not to go ransack his stash.

11.  Do you untie your shoes when you take them off?  No.  Mostly, I wear dress shoes or flip flops (I’m not much for in-between), and they slip right on and off.

12. Do you think you are strong? Physically, I’m working on it.  Mentally, I’m steely.

13. What is your favorite ice cream?  Black raspberry from St. Claire’s Annex in Watch Hill.

14. What is the first thing you notice about people?  Whether they look friendly or not. 

15. Red or Pink? I don’t really like either.  I prefer blue or gray.

16. What is your least favorite thing about yourself?  I have crippling moments of insecurity.  But they pass.

17. Who do you miss the most?  Grammie. 

18. What color pants and shoes are you wearing?  Blue yoga pants and flip flops.  (I’m home sick.)

20. What was the last thing you ate?  A cup of Prince of Wales tea, some oatmeal, and the gross antibiotic pill.

21. What are you listening to right now?  The band Elbow, the sound of the dryer, and my hands clicking against the keyboard.

22.  If you were a crayon, what color would you be?  I’d be the sharpener in the back of the box of Crayola 96.

23. Favorite smells?  Hazelnut coffee, shampoos, Clean perfume, and the way Chris’s shirts smell.

24. Who was the last person you talked to on the phone?  My mom.  She was calling to check on her sicky kid.

25. Favorite sports to watch?  RED SOX BASEBALL.  What else is there?

26. Hair color?  Light brown with blonde highlights.

27. Eye color?  Grayish blue.

28 .Do you wear contacts? No.

29. Favorite food?  Fresh summer fruits.

30. Scary Movies or Happy Endings?  I cannot stand scary movies.  Every time I’m forced to watch one, I cover my face with my hands.  I watched the entire “28 Days Later” through the threads in Chris’s sweater, terrified.

31. Last movie you watched?  The Life Aquatic on DVD.

32 What color shirt are you wearing?  An old, light blue Local Motion long sleeve t-shirt.  Again, I’m home sick.

33. Summer or winter?  Summer.  I am most at home on the beach.

34. Hugs or kisses?  I’m not much of a toucher, but if we’re friends or family, I’d love a hug.  If you’re Chris, go ahead and plant a kiss on me, too. 

35. Favorite dessert? Holy crème brulee.

36. What is on your mousepad? Currently, the logo from my blog.  :)

37. What did you watch on TV last night?  Nothing.  I went to bed early due to aforementioned plague.

38. Favorite sound?  The ocean.  And music.  And when Sausage purrs in my ear.  The sound of my fiancé’s voice.  My mom’s laughter.  I’m an auditory junkie.

39. Rolling Stones or Beatles?  There is no comparison here.  Beatles.  They are still relevant, and their music is still touching lives.

40. What is the farthest you have been from home? California?  St. John?  I don’t know which is further, but I know I’m itching to go to Ireland.

41. Do you have a special talent?  I can crochet.  I can also write a song parody almost instantly.  And hopefully, I can make you laugh. 

-  30  -

I'm off to take a nap and attempt to sleep off more of this nonsense plague.  If you're NaBloPoMo-ing, grab this meme and run with it!

Posted by Kerri Morrone Sparling at 02:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (13) | TrackBacks (0)

Well I'm impressed.  It's November 20th and this is the first meme I've seen tossed into the diabetes blogs for NaBloPoMo.  Well done, everyone!  We made it 20 days without a meme!

I've been tagged by a few of you guys (like Chrissie and Landileigh and my girl Nicole) so here are my Seven Facts.

1.  I was able to spell when I was 18 months old.  I thought this was a lie until my mother recounted the tale of me, at a parade, all of 18 months and peeking over her shoulder, spelling out the words on the signs behind her.  Granted, this fact is also accompanied by the fact that I cannot perform simple math tasks.  Thank God for the bolus wizard.

2.  When I was a small child, I performed a compulsive act that was called woofer-sniffing (or at least called that by my mother).  (Yes, Mom, I am admitting this online.)  I would cover my mouth with my hands and then stroke my hands down my throat twice.  Bizarre.  I have no idea why I did it.  I did this for about two straight years at the most random moments (but usually as we stood in line after lunch in 3rd grade).  I've since stopped.  It's all fun and games until you realize you are actually OCD. 

3.  I want to drive a race car.  I love the feel of a fast car and a heavy, strong engine.  I want to get behind the wheel of one of those mean machines, slide on a helmet, and sit with all that black netting while I roar around the race track at 160 mph.  (Should I mention I've had several speeding tickets?)

4.  Ever-presenting myself as the non-traditional, independent woman, I have to admit that "flowers for no reason" absolutely make my day.  Not for my birthday, not for Valentine's Day, and not to mark an anniversary, but the ones that show up for no reason at all.  Once I had a bouquet of yellow tulips delivered to my office, several years ago.  And I still remember the way they smelled.

5.  I respect originality.  Each person has a distinct personality and something to offer to the world, and people who truly cultivate their own, unique voice impress me to no end.  People who parrot do not impress me.  (And I value loyalty, honesty, and a wicked sense of humor just as much, just as a matter of FYI.)

6.  Oooh!  I love the sound of the Trouble Pop-O-Matic bubble.  Pop-pop!  It's a sound from my childhood, playing this game with my brother, sister, and the baby-sitter.  Pop-pop!

7.  I always wanted to be a writer.  I wrote my first poem when I was five years old and it was about the fat, black-and-white cat that did nothing but sleep underneath our dining room table.  I also have kept a hard-bound journal since I was seven years old and am currently on the 15th volume.  Something about ink on paper makes my heart quicken. 

Here are the rules o' the game for you - minus the fifth one which I forget because I copied this from Nicole's site and she opted out on the 5th:

Link to the person’s blog who tagged you.
Post these rules on your blog.
List seven random and/or weird facts about yourself.
Tag seven random people at the end of your post.

I'm not sure I know who's been tagged or not, so I'm reaching out to grab John, Melissa, Monica, Carey, Paige, and Ms. Julia.  Only six, but that's how I roll.  If you want the spare tag, grab it!  It's all yours! 

Posted by Kerri Morrone Sparling at 02:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (14) | TrackBacks (0)

Ah, memes.  Oh how I love a good meme.  And I love being tagged.  (Thanks to Julia for this one!)

Total Number of Books Owned: I couldn't even begin to count how many books I own.  Or have owned.  Or will ever own.  I know that the library I had compiled in my childhood numbered in more than several hundred volumes.  I also know that when Chris and I moved to CT, we didn't bring any books with us, yet somehow there are three full bookcases, a stack of books on my dresser, and for some reason my four shelves at work at crammed tight with books, too.  Hmmm...  how many in total?  I'll guess three. 

Last book bought:  Shoot.  I think it was "Flat Stanley."  I loved this story as a kid (I read it in my 3rd grade 'Special Happenings' scholastic reader) and when I saw it in hardcover at the bookstore, I couldn't resist.  Not the most grown-up book I could mention, but it's the last one I bought and I think the story is charming. 

Last Book Read: The last book I read was Flat Stanley.  (See above.)

Five Books That Mean a Lot to You: Ooh.  But there are so many!

1.  The Princess Bride - I loved this movie.  Then I read the book, and the book blows this movie right out of the water. 

2.  Sweet, Invisible Body - How many times have I mentioned this book?  Several.  And how many times have I re-read it, giving the cover that weathered look and appreciating the dog-eared pages?  Plenty.

3.  Andrew Henry's Meadow - This book has been out of print for years and years, but I have one completely mangled copy in my house right now.  It was written by Doris Burn and it's about a little boy whose imagination outgrows his own house, sending him off to build a bunch of cottages in the woods for his friends.  He builds the bird observatory for the girl who likes birds, the underground burrow for the kid who likes bunnies, the house with the waterwheel and moat for the kid who likes boats, etc.  This book made me want to embrace every little bit of myself that was creative and inspired and go build myself a house in the woods.  But alas, I have no talent in that field.  (Puns puns, everywhere!)  So I read and re-read the book until the cover fell off and I had every illustration etched to memory.  I have searched high and low for another copy, but it's out of print.

Update:  Upon Googling this, I learned that Zach Braff (who I just adore) is making this into a movie.  And there are copies on Amazon.  I need a copy with a cover!  I'm ordering one of these for every niece and nephew I have, and for my yet-to-be conceived family.  Totally excited.

4.  My Sister's Keeper - This was the first book I read by Jodi Picoult, and it took my breath away.

5.  The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and Six More - This compilation by Roald Dahl is among the most cherished in my book collection.  I think Roald Dahl was an incredible writer, and his stories have inspired so much of my fiction writing. 

Best Five Books You Read in the Last Year:

1.  Writer's Market 2007
2.  1001 Ways to Save Money and Still Have a Dazzling Wedding
3.  Movable Type Bible V. 3
4.  The 3 a.m. Epiphany
5.  Busy Bride's Essential Wedding Checklist

(I'm sensing a theme in these reading materials.  Blogging, writing, and weddings.  Good thing there's a little Flat Stanley to throw in the mix.)

Now it's time to tag.  I'm throwing this meme at any book lovers out there.  Nicole, I'm looking at you.  ;)  And if you don't have your own blog to muse on, feel free to muse in the comments here.  I'm always looking for new reads. 

Now I need to go admire the necklace I received via the U.S. Postal Service today and take some pictures for tomorrow's post. 

Posted by Kerri Morrone Sparling at 04:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (10) | TrackBacks (0)

I will be loading up the rafting pictures tonight (including the one of the raft guide yelling at me to stay tough), but in the meantime, I've had the honor of receiving two very nice bloggy awards.

Amy Mercer over at Dreaming of Water awarded me the Thinking Blogger Award.  She chose a handful of chronic illness blogs to highlight.  Since this is a diabetes-focused blog, I'm chosing to deviate from diabetes and highlight some of my favorite non-diabetes blogs:

1.  Aprigliano.  He makes me laugh, he's tech-savvy, and he's married to one of the only people who can make me laugh with a mere syllable. 

2.  M.O.M.  Monica paints pictures with her words that have the most vibrant colors.  Her perspectives always make me think.  And she tolerates the fact that cartoons are based on my life. 

3.  Breathe.  This blogger, new to the blogosphere, finds words for the moments that render others mute.  The moments that Lynn chooses to capture are beautiful and poignant.

4.  The Full Stop.  Nothing makes me happier than reading Kieran's musings.  His musical talent is undeniable and he quips about in ways that bring me great joy.  He makes me think as well as makes me laugh.

5.  Que Sera Sera.  I've been reading this blogger for about a year now and she makes me snicker at the most mundane things.  Definitely a blog to check out.

Here are the rules, should any of these bloggers choose to accept their mission to share their thinking bloggers of choice.  If the bloggers choose to participate, please make sure to pass the rules on to the next Thinking Blogs you tag:

1. If, and only if, you get tagged, write a post with links to 5 blogs that make you think.

2. Link to this post so that people can easily find the exact origin of the meme.

3. Optional: Proudly display the ‘Thinking Blogger Award’ with a link to the post that you wrote (here is an alternative silver version if gold doesn’t fit your blog).

This award was began by Ilker Yoldas at The Thinking Blog. The mission is to create a linky thinky trail (my ridiculous phrase, not theirs, as they sound much brighter when they talk) to spread the word about great blogs. 

And Julia at Major Bedhead has awarded me a Rockin' Girl Blogger award.  (YAY!)  Dude, I am so passing this one around the dBlogosphere.  My nominees are:

Birdie at Aiming for Grace.  She hits her target every time.  I am always impressed by her writing.

Shannon at Mom Wants a Cure because she makes me laugh, cry, and fear being poked on Facebook at all times.

and Jill at Navigum.  Diabetes doesn't appear to define her, either, and her stories about tofu pups and bizarre life happenings make her blog a must-read.

Thanks for thinking of me!  Cheers to the blogosphere!

Posted by Kerri Morrone Sparling at 12:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (10) | TrackBacks (0)