Glad you issued this Challenge Poppet. I've enjoyed reading the answers to the ones who accepted the Challenge.
1. What has been your most memorable birthday so far?
This last one where my neighborhood sang Happy Birthday to me at our annual neighborhood rock concert.
2. What’s one lesson you’ve learned this past year?
That I can live without all the stuff I've acculated in my house over the past 30 some years.
3. What’s your favorite way to celebrate your birthday?
With cake and ice-cream.
4. What’s the best gift you’ve ever received?
A set of clothes from my first fiance in college.
5. What’s your favorite birthday tradition?
Eating cake and ice-cream ... hahaha.
6. How do you usually spend your birthday?
One of my best friends and I usually go to a restaurant and catch up on life. Or I spend it alone. This year, I decorated my front yard with Birthday stuff. Oh and there is the proverbial tons of Happy Birthday wishes from friends and family on FB.
7. What’s one thing you’re grateful for this year?
My Scotch/Irish Heritage on my dad's side.
8. What’s your favorite birthday cake flavor?
Spice with Caramel icing.
9. What’s one wish you have for your next year?
To tour Scotland, but that won't happen because it's too expensive.
10. What’s your favorite birthday memory from childhood?
Opening presents.
11. How do you feel about turning leveling up annually?
Well I've been doing it for 72 years so every year that passes now forces me to face the reality that there isn't much time left, so I better get my affairs in order and not leave a mess in any facet of life, for those left behind to clean up for me.
12. What’s one thing you’ve achieved in the past year?
Staying ahead of illnesses in the aging process.
13. What’s a goal you have for the next year?
Getting all the decluttering done in my house, car, and garage. I'm a pack rat and hoarder and I want my home back.
Also to lose weight and be 110 lbs again.
14. What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
Don't look back, there might be something gaining on you.
15. What’s one thing you love about your life right now?
That I'm retired and free to do what I please.
16. What’s a book you’ve enjoyed reading this past year?
I've enjoyed reading books of romance of Scottish Highland Lairds, and British romances before the 1900's.
17. What’s a movie or TV show you’ve loved recently?
I never set up a TV when we changed from Analog to Digital. But on FB I've seen little clips of Outlander, Bridgerton (I've read many of the books), When Calls The Heart, and Hallmark Movies. If I had a TV set up, I'd be watching those.
18. What’s your favorite hobby or pastime?
In the last few years it has been gardening. I love to grow food and flowers. It still amazes me that you can put a tiny seed in the ground and eat off the results. I think of that everytime I hold a piece of fruit or veggies in my hand. I usually stare at it in wonder.
19. Who’s someone you’d love to spend your birthday with but can’t?
One of my best friends from work, Roseanne. We used to laugh for several hours after work on the phone about all the stupid shenanigans that happened during the day. We just got sillier and sillier the more we talked. She died in 2010 from Ovarian Cancer.
20. What’s one thing you want to do more of in the coming year?
Celebrate my Scotch/Irish heritage and join some of the American organizations that pertain to it. This year I've been attending Scotch and Irish festivals to be among my "people".
21. What’s one thing you want to do less of in the coming year?
Be messy. I am a perfectionist but I've gotten sloppy at it over the years.
22. What’s a new skill you’ve learned this past year?
Stick up for myself.
23. What’s a place you’d love to visit?
Scotland. In fact I'd love to live there.
24. What’s a favorite memory with friends from the past year?
I always love to laugh with friends and family. I've had several chances to do that this year.
25. What’s a favorite memory with family from the past year?
I suppose it would have to be the meal I had with my Sister and Brother-in-law recently because they are the only family I've seen in person so far this year. Everyone lives thousands of miles away. But in November my brother's daughter is getting married so I get to take a vacation to Phoenix. I plan a week to sight see as well. Looking for good deals on flights, hotels, and sight seeing packages at the moment.
26. What’s your favorite birthday meal?
Pizza. And cake and ice-cream for dessert.
27. What’s one thing you’d tell your younger self?
Pay your house off as soon as possible, then if financial disaster hits, at least you have a solid roof over your head. And never remortgage to get out of credit card debt.
28. What’s a piece of wisdom you’ve gained with age?
That it doesn't matter what other people think of you, because someone will always have an opinion and if you believe them all, you'll just do nothing but ride a roller coaster all of your life. And that's no way to live.
29. What’s your favorite way to spend a free day?
Sleeping without feeling guilty for it.
30. What’s something you’re looking forward to in the coming year?
My last nieces wedding and seeing some of the sights in AZ. And of course losing my last 27 pounds to my goal weight.
31. What’s your favorite birthday song?
I guess Happy Birthday. I can't think of anything else birthday related.
32. What’s your go-to birthday outfit?
Casual stuff like jeans and a t-shirt top.
33. What’s one thing you want to let go of this year?
The extra body I'm carrying.
34. What’s a habit you want to develop in the coming year?
Doing more artwork.
35. What’s a book or movie you’d recommend to others?
I love the Bridgerton Series and following all the characters lives.
36. What’s something that makes you happy every day.
Still being able to drive a car and being independent.
37. What’s a wish you have for the world?
Eternal peace and the absense of conflict.
38. What's a new hobby you'd like to try this year?
Gardening in my own yard. I've been volunteering at our neighborhood community garden over the last several years so much that I haven't had time to cultivate a garden of my own, but have always wanted to.
39. What's a place you feel most at peace?
At home. It is my safe place.
40. What's a song that puts you in a good mood?
Any song that I consider a love song to Christ. "I Love You Lord" would be one of those. It's a soothing love song. And even though our worship is imperfect and given to Him from an imperfect human being, He loves it anyway.
41. What's something you'd like to learn more about?
The right kind of meal plan for my health situations.
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"I Love You Lord"
