Appetizer
What was your first “real” job?

I worked as a clerk in the water department in Atlanta.  This was a summer job when I was in college.

Soup
Where would you go if you wanted to spark your creativity?

My favorite place I’ve ever visited is Alaska.  I thought Hawaii was incredible, too, but Alaska was just over-the-top for me.  I think being in Alaska would definitely spark my creativity.  And even if it didn’t spark my creativity, I’d have a blast being there.

Salad
Complete this sentence: I am embarrassed when…

I can’t remember someone’s name.

Main Course
What values did your parents instill in you?

I think they’re too numerous to list all of them, but here are a couple:  Whatever you do, do it well.  Love your neighbor as yourself. 

Dessert
Name 3 fads from your teenage years

This will date me!  Madras skirts, penny loafers, and the guys wore pastel shirts with matching socks.

Appetizer
When you were a child, which crayon color was your favorite?

I can’t remember back that many years ago!  However, I love the color green . . . and blue . . . and yellow . . . and pink . . . and red .

Soup
On a scale of 1 to 10 (with 10 being highest), how likely would you be to change jobs if it required you to move?

Zero.  Once I get into my new house in June/July, I don’t intend to move ever again.  Of course I’ve said that before - several times.

Salad
Take all the numbers in your birthday and your phone number and add them up, one by one. What’s the total?

Does that include the area code? Okay - including the area code, it comes to 1,465!

Main Course
Have you ever “re-gifted” anything? If so, what was it and who did you pass it on to?

I don’t think so.  I did buy a baby shower gift once but never made it to the baby shower - and it wasn’t that close a friend anyway - and I never got around to giving the gift - and so the next time I was invited to a baby shower, I just took that gift - it was already wrapped and ready to go.

Dessert
Name something you need from the store.

Some fresh-squeezed orange juice because my throats a little scratchy and OJ seems to make it feel better.

Appetizer
When you travel, which mode of transportation do you prefer?

My car - I like the freedom to stop when I want to and to go where I want to.  I despise flying because it’s cramped and uncomfortable.  Except my husband is a pilot and has his own plane.  I enjoy flying when it’s just RT and me going somewhere in his plane.

Soup
Have you ever met a blogging friend in person?

Not anyone I didn’t know before I started blogging.

Salad
When was the last time you were really, really tired?

Last night.

Main Course
If you could have dinner with any one fictional character from a book or movie, who would it be?

This is a hard one.  I’ll have to think about that one for awhile.  Later note:  Okay, I’ve got one.  I love children’s literature since that’s a big chunk of my job as an elementary school reading specialist.  I would love to meet and have dinner with Edward Tulane in The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo.  Edward was a toy rabbit, and he learned so much through his journey of life.  I’d like to talk with him about his adventures and the lessons in life that he expressed in the book.

Dessert
Fill in the blank: One day when I die and get to heaven, I hope to see my father - who died in 1986.

Friday’s Feast has a new website, and it looks wonderful.  Click HERE to see it for yourself.  Now for this week’s feast:

Appetizer
What are you proud of?

My children.  They’re both adults now, and they’re both good, kind and successful in their chosen profession.  And they have such a fun sense of humor.  We laugh so much when we’re together.

Soup
What is the best thing you’ve ever won as a prize?

I was playing slot machines in a casino in Mississippi once when I was traveling with RT.  I had set aside $20 and vowed that was all I was going to spend on that kind of “entertainment.”  On the second time, I hit the jackpot, bells started clanging and lights flashing.  I won $250.  I stopped playing immediately because I figured I’d better stop while I was ahead.

Salad
Name something you do that is a waste of time.

Surf the internet too much.

Main Course
In what year of your life did you change the most?

1997 - at 48 years of age.

Dessert
Where is a place you consider to be very tranquil?

The beach - always.  I love watching the waves and walking along the beach.  (Later clarification:  When I think of the beach, I think of Santa Rosa Beach in Florida.  It’s near Destin, but away from the throngs of people.  I’ve stayed at a B&B there several times - Highlands House - that is right on the beach - and no crowds.  I love it.  Great place to stay - relaxing and peaceful - and great food, too.)

Appetizer
Who is your favorite news anchor/reporter? Why?

I think Charlie Gibson is my favorite.  I don’t watch network news much, though.

Soup
Name 3 foods that are currently in your freezer.

An extra loaf of whole wheat bread, tilapia filets,  ground turkey.

Salad
If you were to have the opportunity to name a new town or city, what would you call it?

I have no idea what I’d name a new town.  We’re building a new house out in the country, and we’re trying to come up with a name for it.  We’ve been working on a name for months, and we still don’t have one we both like.

Main Course
What will most likely be the next book you read?

Max Lucado’s In the Eye of the Storm.

Dessert
What’s the first thing you notice about the opposite gender?

Their general attitude - Are they happy? sad? angry? thoughtful?  A smile goes a long way!

Appetizer
Name two things that made you smile this week.

(1) My granddaughter called me earlier this evening and told me about winning the Read-a-thon for the entire kindergarten at her school.  Her reward is riding in a limo with the principal and other grade level winners and eating lunch out one day.  She’s is so excited about it!

(2) My daughter told me that when she picked up the girls from school today, she asked if they wanted to invite Grandma Carol to go with them to eat out to celebrate the read-a-thon win.  RT is out of town - so they knew I was eating dinner alone tonight.  They both cheered and yelled “Grandma Carol!” and one of the teachers mentioned how much they LOVED their Grandma Carol.  I’m still smiling over that one!

Soup
Fill in the blank: Don’t you hate it when ________?

Don’t you hate it when the dog smells so . . . wet-doggy?  It’s raining here - and that’s the permeating smell in my house.

Salad
When you can’t go to sleep, what is your personal remedy to help yourself drift into Lullabyland?

I eat a small bowl of cereal with skim milk.  I read in some publication recently that cereal and milk is a good thing to do for insomnia.  And the rare times I have trouble going to sleep, it sure seems to help me.

Main Course
What is something about which you’ve always wondered but have not yet found a good answer?

Why do I eat more than I need - more than I really want?

Dessert
What is your favorite pasta dish?

Bowtie pasta with spinach and grilled chicken in a very light alfredo sauce.  Delicious!

Appetizer
What is your usual bedtime? Do you like that, or would you rather it be different?

Usually around 10:00 p.m.  When I was single I stayed up much later. However, I feel better getting more sleep.

Soup
When it comes to advice, do you give more or receive more?

I definitely give more - but only when asked.  I don’t give unsolicited advice.

Salad
Describe a memorable meal you’ve had.

I love eating at “The Melting Pot.”  Any meal there is  memorable.

Main Course
Name a work of fiction that affected the way you think about something.

I’m drawing a blank right now.  Probably HAWAII by James Michener.  It made me think differently about missionaries.

Dessert
What is your favorite type of fruit juice?

Orange juice - I keep those little cartons of OJ in the small refrigerator in my classroom - and I drink at least one of them each day.

Appetizer
What does the color pink make you think of?

My granddaughters - (ages 3 & 5) - they both love anything pink.

Soup
Name something you thought you had lost, but later found.

A cross pendant that I love.  I couldn’t find it for the longest time, but then one day I opened a little jewelry bag that I sometimes use to carry jewelry when I travel - and there it was.  I thought the bag was empty.  I was thrilled to find it.

Salad
In 3 words, describe this past week.

Busy (I’ll bet 3/4 of the people use “busy” as one of the three words for this course), productive, happy

Main Course
What are you obsessed with?

Sadly, my weight

Dessert
What kind of perfume or cologne do you like to wear?

Estee Lauder’s “Pleasures” is my favorite although I like “Eternity” by Calvin Klein too.

Appetizer
Where on your body do you have a scar, and what caused it?

On my nose where I fainted and fell face first onto a concrete floor about 8 years ago.  It didn’t break my nose, amazingly enough, but I got a bad cut on the bridge of my hose - and the scar is still there.

Soup
What is something that has happened to you that you would consider a miracle?

Two pregnancies resulting in two healthy babies.  And now those two healthy babies are two healthy and well-adjusted adults.  In today’s world, that’s a miracle.

Salad
Name a television personality who really gets on your nerves.

Soledad O’Brien.  She’s just plain annoying.  I have no clue how she got that job because she is awful at it.  I also have no clue how she keeps that job.  I would never watch her, but RT loves CNN, and so I’m stuck with her when RT has the remote.

Main Course
What was a funny word you said as a child (such as “pasketti” for “spaghetti”)?

Other than calling “afgans” “Africans”, I can’t think of any.

Dessert
Fill in the blank: I have always thought _______ was ______.  

I have always thought that dancing was the best way to get me in a good mood.

Appetizer
What sound, other than the normal ringing, would you like your telephone to make?

Sean Connery saying “Carol, there’s a call for you.”

Soup
Describe your usual disposition in meteorological terms (partly cloudy, sunny, stormy, etc.).

Mostly sunny with occasional thunderstorms but clearing up quickly.

Salad
What specific subject do you feel you know better than any other subjects?

Children’s literature

Main Course
Imagine you were given the ability to remember everything you read for one entire day. Which books/magazines/newspapers would you choose to read?

I love novels that have unexpected twists to them.  However, it’s been so long since I’ve read a good one that I can’t think of one right now.

Dessert
If a popular candy maker contacted you to create their next confection, what would it be like and what would you name it?

It would be EXTREMELY similar to Snickers.  I’d put a dash of coffee flavor in it and name it Kickers.