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 About 24 hours ago, I was all enthusiastic about updating my resume and applying for another position at work. Now, when I have to actually update the resume and worry about what to say, I'm frozen.

Will update the situation when I have an update.

Update: resume done as much as it's going to be.  Tomorrow or Monday I'll fill out the application.  I want to ask a few people who have made the same move a few questions first, but I can't contact them until Monday. 
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 These questions were written by amguynes for thefridayfive.

What is the name of...

1. Your favorite book?
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

2. Your favorite movie?
I can't choose just one, so Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, Pride and Prejudice (2005)

3. Your least favorite adaptation of a book to a movie?
Jane Eyre from 1996. It's so, so bad. I only finished watching it's barely 2 hours long. But somewhere around the proposal scene, I started watching through my fingers while mumbling to myself this is so bad, this sucks, this is terrible...

4. Your least favorite adaptation ever of anything to a movie?
The Hobbit trilogy was disappointing.

5. Your first ever novel/comic book/movie character crush?
Probably Rhett Butler. Problematic, I know.
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 This week's thefridayfive

1. Have you ever been the president of anything?
no

2. What do you think is the most important leadership trait?
Being able to see from other perspectives. Step into someone's shoes, or try seeing through their lenses. Different people can be in the same situation, but see, understand, and/or react to it in different ways.

3. What time period did you find the most interesting to learn about in history class?
I'm mulling this over. Nothing stands out as a favorite, but maybe westward expansion. I remember kind of clearly reading about the Trail of Tears in our elementary (4th or 5th grade) and my teacher kind of bluntly saying something about how terrible it was what was done to the indigenous groups. The Native American Studies class I took in college was also fascinating, more eye-opening, and revealing.

4. What's something you think about doing, but you haven't gotten back into in several years?
Playing the flute. I have one, but I need lessons, and don't want to subject Sarah or the neighbors to hearing me practice.

5. If you could add one more random holiday to February, what would it be?
One that my job would recognize as major enough to give me the day off. We only have 7 observed holidays in my department. Hooray call center life!
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 1. At what age did you discover you had a favorite color?
Around age 3, I remember loving purple and orange. I also remember really liking those flavors of popsicles, so somehow those are related. My favorite color changed several times since then, but has settled on green, teal, and blue since around college.

2. What type (genre) of film do you prefer to see in a theater versus one you'd watch at home?
Pretty much any movie I'm excited about or highly anticipating. I saw most of the Marvel movies on the big screen, as well as Star Wars 1-3 and 7-9.

3. What's your oldest object or item since childhood? My baby blanket (in a box in my closet), a raccoon stuffie from my 7th birthday (in a different box in the closet) and the teddy bear from my 8th birthday, which is next to me on the bed.

4. In what book would you insert yourself as a side character or friend to the protagonist?
Pride and Prejudice

5. What's your favorite shape or type of cloud?
Big puffy ones that form during monsoon season, or ones that seem stretched out in a repetitive pattern.





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 I've finished 4 books so far. One I started at the end of December.

Hillbilly Elegy, JD Vance. Everyone I've mentioned this memoir to said they loved the Netflix adaptation. Dramatization? I bought book because I remembered seeing a trailer, but didn't remember much about it. I loved this book, as it's both memoir and also explaining how you can leave a place, but you can't leave poverty, or the culture of where you're from. I prefer the story-telling more than I'd like the movie adaptation.

Who Gets Believed? When the Truth Isn't Enough, Dina Nayeri. This is a follow up to her first book, The Ungrateful Refugee, which I also found amazing. Though she tells of her own life, I had to look up the genre, as memoir didn't seem right. It's categorized under psychology/politics. Since I don't feel able to accurately describe the book, check out this link instead: https://books.catapult.co/books/who-gets-believed/

Uprooted: Recovering the legacy of the places we've left behind, Grace Olmstead. This memoir looks at where the author grew up in Idaho, an agricultural area facing brain drain, the loss of farms, spreading suburbs, and more. Again, memoir + nonfiction = love for me. I love people telling their stories, and I love the information I learn as well.

Wild: From lost to found on the Pacific Crest Trail, Cheryl Strayed. Mostly memoir, a little bit about the PCT. Kind of have to tell about the trail when you hike it. Also was made into a movie that I may never watch. Funny thing is I thought her last name was 2 syllables, like stray-ed, but it's actually the word 'strayed' which is explained in the book. Despite learning it's the word, I still say stray-ed. Lost in many ways after her mother died pretty suddenly of cancer, the author decides to hike the PCT alone. I very much enjoyed it. A friend told me she thought it was terrible. I wonder if she just disliked it, or if it's because this friend has hiked the Appalachian Trail.
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 Grabbed this from [personal profile] zvezda9  

My books post is here: https://ringsandcoffee.livejournal.com/139540.html (2023 at the end, of course)

The questions...

Read more... )
ringsandcoffee: (Default)
 ...but in the community comments since I only had my phone while travelling.

Qs
1. It's 17 days until Christmas. How do you feel about that?

2. It's the second night of Hanukkah. How do you feel about that?

3. It's Howie Hawkins's birthday. Have you wished him a happy birthday yet?

4. John Lennon died on this date in 1980. Your reaction?

5. Beethoven's 7th Symphony premiered in Vienna with Beethoven conducting, on this day in 1813. Can you hum any part of the 7th?


As
1. I’m not finished shopping yet but I have time.
2. I did not know it was Hanukkah.
3. Howie who? It’s MY birthday today so that’s what I’m happy about.
4. It was my 3rd birthday when it happened. I feel like I remember it being on the news back then, but I could be wrong.
5. I know many classical songs but only a few by name. I’d have to listen to see if I know it.
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 1. What did you eat on Thursday?
A bunch of cheese, salami, and crackers as appetizers. My plate of dinner was all the Thanksgiving foods I like: turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, and a roll. I skipped the roasted sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, and mac and cheese. Nothing wrong with them (but I'm not a sweet potato fan), just wanted the good stuff. I had a piece of the orange cranberry bundt cake I brought for dessert. The cake was a hit. :D My favorite part was the 3 year old who was devouring it - I knew he liked it without a word.

2. How many miles (kilometers) did you drive on Thursday?
43 miles each way to Sarah's brother and sister-in-law's house.

3. How many relatives did you see on Thursday?
I saw my own family via Facetime.

4. What did you wear on Thursday?
A sweater I've worn before, and that also looks a little Christmas-y, but the sweater I originally put on had issues. I'm having a lot of clothing issues these days. Sweater, jeans, flats.

5. Are you planning to buy anything in particular on Friday?
I bought myself a sweater and 2 pairs of jeans from Universal Standard's Black Friday sale. Nothing else yet.
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 1. What is on your bucket list that you want to do in the next ten years?
Go to New York City, and see NYCBallet while there. Some other trip with Natalie, rough plan is Montana. Get a promotion at work.

2. What bucket list items have you completed and enjoyed?
Going to the UK in 2015. Going to Italy in 2019. Not being miserable at my job. Buying a home of my own.

3. What bucket list items did you accomplish but they weren't as great as you hoped or expected?
Homeownership has its challenges, but I still love being able to make those decisions.

4. What short term goal(s) are you currently working on?
Getting a promotion. Get a vanity in my bathroom, and finish the other things it needs. Shortest term goal at this moment is research health plans for open enrollment soon. That's my plan for tomorrow.

5. What middle term goal(s) do you have, and are you working on them?
Try to pay off more of my mortgage. Get through more of my baking books and cookbooks. Decide what car I'll get when I have to get rid of my Mazda. But that's not until the car is on it's last legs, which it isn't yet.
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 1. Which website do you go to more often than any other?
Livejournal and Dreamwidth
https://notalwaysright.com/right/
Youtube
Facebook

2. Which website have you stopped going to, that you used to go to a lot?
-a few LJ communities that are no longer active
-food blogs that no longer get updated. Most have moved to IG, which is good for me.

3. What is the weirdest or most unusual website you have bookmarked?
I never imported all the bookmarks to this laptop, so I can't tell you.

4. If you shop online, which online store do you buy from most often?
5. Which online store do you browse but almost never buy from?
I'm combining these because I generally don't buy things online. I often look online for ideas, ratings, or to see what's available, but prefer going to and buying at stores. I've ordered a few from Target that were bigger and online-only (my desk, a treadmill). I will order from Amazon when I can't find the item anywhere else, or if I have a gift card.
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 Taken from meathiel

HAVE YOU EVER: ?
1. Made bread from scratch? Yes
2. Cooked fresh squash? Yes
3. Made homemade soup? Yes
4. Fried chicken? Yes (I think)
5. Made spaghetti sauce from scratch? Yes, 2 days ago. But many times before.
6. Made homemade rolls or cinnamon rolls? yes
7. Baked a cake from scratch? Yes
8. Made icing from scratch? Yes
9. Cooked a pot roast with all the veggies? no
10. Made chili from scratch? Yes
11. Made a meatloaf? Yes
12. Made potato salad? maybe?
13. Made mac/cheese from scratch? Yes
14. Made any pies from scratch? Yes
15. Made sausage from scratch? No
16. Made fudge? Yes
17. Made cookies from scratch? Yes
18. Cooked a pot of dried beans? No
19. Cooked a pot of greens? no
20. Made cornbread from scratch? I think so...
21. Made a pie dough from scratch? Yes
22. Cooked a whole turkey? No
23. Snapped green beans & cooked them? Yes
24. Made mashed potatoes from scratch? Yes
25. Prepared a meal for 30 plus people? No
26. Made homemade tortillas? No
27. Made pancakes from scratch? Yes
28. Roasted vegetables in the oven instead of boiling them? Yes
29. Made pasta from scratch? No
30. Made tamales from scratch? No
31. Made tuna or chicken salad? Yes
32. Fried fish? no
33. Made baked beans? No
34. Made ice cream from scratch? Yes
35. Made jam or jelly? Yes
36. Zested an orange or lemon? Yes
37. Made grits from scratch? No
38. Made an omelet? Yes
39. Made homemade pizza? Yes
40. Lived in a house without a dishwasher? I think having a non-working dishwasher counts. Ooooh and my dishwasher is going now, so nice having it.
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 Probably every book I read, I want everyone else to read it too. Some more than others. I have a post I've kept since 2007 that lists what I've read since 2006. It started with dates read and/or my opinion on the books, but has evolved into a list, separated by year. I started editing the earlier sections a few nights ago. If I were really into book ratings, I'd go back and rate all the books I've read, but, meh. List is here for anyone interested: https://ringsandcoffee.livejournal.com/139540.html

I read mostly memoirs, then non-fiction, then some fiction sprinkled in. Why do I like memoirs (and the occasional biography) so much? Sometimes I choose if for the person it's about, but often I've never heard of them before finding the book. Also, and this goes for non-fiction books as well, they often have social commentary or info about the world around them. I like learning how things were for other people who lived in different eras or places. I used to read more fiction, as evidenced by the BritLit I used to be obsessed with. Again, see books post.

Anywhoozles. Recommendations. These are my highly recommended books from the last few years. I'll try to keep this list from getting too long, but no guarantees.

(*** for books I really, really loved)

Educated - Tara Westover (memoir)***
The Radium Girls - Kate Moore (non-fiction)
Brain on Fire: My Month of Madness - Susannah Cahalan (memoir)
Rocket Men - Robert Kurson (non-fiction)
Heartland: A Memoir of Working Hard and Being Broke in the Richest Country on Earth - Sarah Smarsh (memoir)
From Scratch - Tembi Locke (memoir)
The Other Wes Moore - Wes Moore (memoir)***
Born a Crime -Trevor Noah (memoir)***
How To Be An Antiracist - Ibram X. Kendi (non-fiction)***
I'm Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness - Austin Channing Brown (memoir)
Evicted Matthew Desmond (non-fiction)***
Our Towns - James Fallows and Deborah Fallows (non-fiction)
The Ungrateful Refugee - Dina Nayer (memoir)***
Nomadland - Jessica Bruder (non-fiction)
Between Two Kingdoms - Suleika Jahoud (memoir)
Trejo - Danny Trejo (memoir)***
She Come By it Natural - Sarah Smarsh (biography of Dolly Parton)***
How the Word is Passed Clint Smith (non-fiction)***
The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend - Katarina Bivald (fiction)***
Sitting Pretty - Rebekah Taussig (memoir)
In the Weeds - Tom Vitale (memoir)***
Invisible Child: Poverty, Survival, and Hope in an American City - Andrea Elliott (non-fiction)***
Project Hail Mary - Andy Weir (fiction)
The Greatest Beer Run Ever - John Donohue (memoir)
American Baby: A Mother, A Child, and the Shadow History of Adoption - Gabrielle Glaser (non-fiction)***
Mill Town - Kerri Arsenault (memoir/non-fiction)
Corrections in Ink - Keri Blakinger (memoir)***
The Hospital - Brian Alexander (non-fiction)***
Wind at My Back - Misty Copeland (memoir)***
The Hate U Give - Angie Thomas (fiction)
Code Girls - Liza Mundy (history)
Home Made - Liz Hauck (memoir)***

Reviews and synopses can be googled. If you want to know MY thoughts on any particular book on the list, just ask.
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 1. Do you want to get married?
Even though I honestly doubt it will happen, yes. There's a companionship you can't find in any other way. Plus, someone to help with home upkeep would be lovely.

2. Where would you like to get married?
Here.

This is at the top of the Vikingsholm trail above Emerald Bay, Lake Tahoe. There's a small overlook area and a parking lot with maybe 50 spaces, and it's a turnoff from a 2 lane road going up the mountain. More info here, if you're curious: 
https://www.tahoeactivities.com/vikingsholm-hiking-trail/

3. If you were getting married in a week, who would be in your wedding party?
Depends on who could drop everything and come down. Probably Sarah, since she's here already, but really I might just elope if I only had a week to plan. I don't NEED bridesmaids, more like someone to help me get ready.

4. What would your wedding colors be?
Gosh, it's been so long since I imagined my own wedding that I have no idea. However, since my favorite colors are blue, teal, and green, probably those.

5. Does marriage mean to you 'til death do us part?'
In a perfect world, yes, and I'd try really hard to proactively achieve that. Meaning, I'd really make sure I knew the guy first, and really wanted to marry him, and him feel the same about me. During the marriage, it's a daily thing to work at as well.
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 1. What was the last dream that you had about?
The last one I remember was a few nights ago (I know I've had others that I don't remember). It was another teaching dream, and I think had one of my 3rd graders from my second to last year. Someone had hit him, not like punched in the face but hard enough to leave a mark on his arm or something. I was left to try and have him tell his parents the situation wasn't that bad, instead of being able to punish the other kid. In my mind I was angry and knew it was wrong that the victim had to basically take it, but I couldn't do anything else. Some of the details are hazy. It's the second such dream I've had lately, which bothers me.

2. Does it hold any significant meaning to you?
Meaning, no, but I'm irked because not only do I still have teaching dreams, but now they involve violence where the perpetrator cannot be punished and I have to convince the victim and/or the parents it's not a big deal.

3. Do you dream in color or black and white?
color

4. What is the most frightening dream you ever had?
I want to say it was in high school. I had 3 dreams probably within a few months where I was killed, at least 2 were by vampires. I don't think they bit my neck, but I can't remember. I know one I was shot with a rifle. I remember laying on the ground after I'd been killed, maybe still dying, maybe a ghost, but trying to not draw the killer's attention to myself. Those dreams made me shudder for a long time.

5. Is there one dream that stays clear in your mind despite the fact it was more than a few years ago? The above dreams have faded, but I still remember
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1. When was the last time you had a proper checkup?
So long ago that I don't remember. I went to the doctor I think in 2016 for a spot on my leg, and that was more to get established at the practice, but I never went back. Then I changed jobs/insurance plans and have not been since.


2. When did your car have a proper checkup or do you just take it in when something breaks?
I took it in a few weeks ago to have the brakes looked at, and they looked at it overall. Turns out the brakes are still ok but the rotor is warped, thus the intermittent shake. They will change it when I get the brakes replaced. My first 2 cars I was terrible about maintenance, but this one I've been better about not just oil changes, but regular maintenance.

3. Do you regularly get your heating/air conditioning checked?
Well, its all one system. Now that I own this house, I got it checked with the house inspection, and then again last spring. AC breakdowns in the Arizona summers are no bueno.

4. Are you more inclined to take better care of others than yourself?
I think so? Maybe the same? Depends on how you define taking care of others.

5. Be honest, how are you feeling today?
Good. Work was okay, was on tasks all day which hardly happens. Tasks can be aggravating but still better than endless phone calls. Finished reading my latest book just now. I had 100 pages left and wanted to finish before the end of June. Found a root beer shake at Culver's, which was delicious. I'd been craving ice cream, and the root beer flavor is awesome. Don't know if they blend the custard with root beer or flavored syrup, but it works. Oh, and tomorrow is movie day with Michelle and Reena. I need to put a few things in a bag to remember to bring with me.
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1. Can you diagram a sentence?
Yes. The basics, at least. I thought I was going to fail my linguistics final in college because of sentence diagramming, and I think something to do with adverbs. I remember having some late night breakthrough, and I did okay in the end. Later when I was teaching, a friend recommended a grammar book that was based on diagramming sentences. It's main strategy was memorizing prepositions, which then helped you find prepositional phrases, and then it was easy to identify the other parts of speech.

2. What word do you always spell wrong, no matter what?
Not wrong, but I always need to think about maintenance, schedule, restaurant, permanent, nauseous, and diarrhea.

3. What word always looks like it's spelled wrong to you but isn’t?
Can't think of one.

4. Do you have any little memory games when it comes to similar words, like principle and principal?
-there's 'a rat' in separate
-a capitOl building usually has a dOme
-your principal isn't your pal

5. Was grammar something you enjoyed or detested in school?
I don't remember a lot of specific lessons. A lot of my problems were when I had to learn the names of things. Like, when you speak, you know what SOUNDS correct, but recognizing a transitive verb or gerund or dependent clause made me go huh??? Again, why I almost failed linguistics.
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 1. How many meetings do you have this week? Let's count classes as meetings.
Only one, my 1x1 with my manager. I didn't work on Tuesday otherwise I would have had team huddle too.

2. How many of those meetings are in-person (as opposed to online or by telephone)?
All on Teams, except for our in-office weeks.

3. Is anything actually accomplished during the meetings you attend?
Yes. Huddles we get needed info and can also ask questions. We also have fun. In 1x1s I can present my concerns, get feedback, and usually get recognized for doing well.

4. Do you enjoy the meetings you attend?
Yes. I don't love listening to my own calls during 1x1, but I'm used to it.

5. Do you do anything special to keep yourself entertained during long, boring meetings?
No need, we're pretty interactive.
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 5/12
1. What was the first album you ever bought?
I cannot remember.  I just googled top albums of 1985-1988, when I was old enough to have some spending money.  Maybe Madonna, maybe Cyndi Lauper, but then again my sister's friend might have let us borrow those.  It might have been George Michael's Faith, which I bought for my sister.  I distinctly remember the small music shop where I bought it, and it was one I was familiar with enough to know to go there.  So there must be an album I bought before that.  
 
2. What format was it? (cassette, CD, other?)
Definitely cassette. 
 
3. How old were you?  If it was 1987, I was 9. 
 
4. Where did you hear it? Radio, most likely.  
 
5. Did your parents approve?
My dad took me to the music store, knowing I was buying the birthday present for my sister.  He didn't care what I was buying, though if he looked at the track list, that would have been shut down real fast.  I knew the title track, but had no idea about "I Want Your Sex (Parts I & II).  The tape was in the car once when my mom was driving up to see my grandmother, and she listened to it...later made some comment about it but didn't take it away.  
 
 
 
5/5
1. What is your work/school commute like?
3 out of 4 weeks of the month, I work from home.  So, my commute is bed to bathroom to kitchen and back to my bedroom, where my desk is.  I live 14 miles from the office.  Early morning commute is about 20 minutes of mostly freeway.  More like 35 going home in the afternoon.  
 
2. What did you want to be when you grew up? Has it changed?
Earliest ambitions: ballerina or gymnast (despite never taking a class in either).  Later, whale trainer, veterinarian, marine biologist.  
 
3. What is your weirdest work/school/project related story?
Hmmm.  I had 2 college classes where we were given assignments with nearly no instructions.  One was an anthropology class where we had to come up with a question, conduct the research, and write a research paper.  There were 4 TAs in the class to help us, and the project took the entire 10 weeks, but the professor gave us no assistance and very little guidance.  I broke down in tears with my TA when turning in a draft because I had zero idea what I was doing.  The other class I think was human development, and we had a group project of again, pick a topic, research it, and create a presentation for it, including printed material.  Trying to get ideas on what topics would be okay was like pulling teeth, as was what he expected us to present.  We chose the topic of stuttering, and created a pamphlet, but I don't remember anything else.  Again, our group was like, what are we supposed to do, since he won't tell us?  I guess we did okay in the end.  
 
4. What is something you're closely familiar with that media always gets wrong?
Nothing off the top of my head aside from when the chocolate company name Ghirardelli is mispronounced.  It's a hard G.  
 
5. Describe the stuff on your desk/workspace.
Two monitors, docking station, laptop, toy cars to help reenact the details of accidents provided to me, Ringling Brothers circus cup I've had since 4th grade for pens and pencils, a catch-all basket of other supplies, some post-it notes, clock radio, desk lamp, The Far Side page a day calendar, and a desk plate that says "May the Force be with you."  Oh and 2 coasters for my coffee mug and can of seltzer.  

Wednesday

Apr. 26th, 2023 07:18 pm
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 Last night was a sit on the couch and watch tv, then go to bed early day.  Today, I got some energy back.

I've been watching YouTube while on the treadmill, but last night had the brilliant idea of catching up on all the shows in my Netflix list.  I meant to start with Call the Midwife, but first thing Netflix showed me was John Mulaney's special.  So, that.  I also managed to get a bunch of stuff done, but need to do a few more.  Posting is one.  

My current book, <i>The Hospital</i> by Brian Alexander, has me gripped.  It's about a small town hospital, but covers hospitals, health care, and a lot about the poor in Ohio (and issues poor people in general face).  I realized I've read several books relating to issues affecting poor people. 
Evicted - housing issues in Milwaukee
Heartland - growing up poor in rural Kansas
Nomadland - older homeless people living out of vehicles
Invisible Child - poverty in NYC
Mill Town - lower income to poor in Maine, also dealing with pollution from the main sources of employment
Janesville - effect on a town after a GM plant shut down. 

I need to run the dishwasher AND a small load of laundry.  Exercise means sweaty workout clothes.  If those sit for too long, it's harder to get rid of the odors. 

2 trips to Target and both times I forgot napkins and more OxyClean.  Need to write both in my phone. 

Week 1 (of 4) helping the new trainees.  I'm POOPED (hence last night doing nothing).  But in a good way.  Plus, they loved the cookies I made and ate them all.  

Ok, one more YouTube video and then finish a few more chores.  
ringsandcoffee: (Default)
 1 How often do you send greeting cards?
Almost never. Once in a while a Christmas card or birthday card.

2. What is the most creative card you’ve ever received?
Probably the fabric postcard from [personal profile] laridian 

3. What is the most creative card you’ve ever sent?
Ha, maybe one of the homemade cards I made at a friend's card-making party. Even that was from a kit.

4. Do you believe the days of sending post cards are behind us?
Nope, I still like to send them once in a while.

5. If you could get a post card from anywhere, where would it be?
A tiny town in the middle of nowhere, Alaska. Or Antarctica. But, I'll take a post card from anywhere, anytime.

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