1. Left over steak, chicken or turkey and sauteed mini bell peppers and onions make a quick and easy dinner (of fajitas! Delish!).

2.Dizzy and Jimmy by Liz Sheridan is the book I’m reading right now (thanks to V who gave it to me!).

3. July brings back memories of summertime adventures passed.

4. Her love of the written word was obvious.

5. They say if you tell your dreams to anyone, they won’t come true.

6. I gave him plenty of time to think it over (but he never got back to me).

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to ending the work day, tomorrow my plans include washing the car, taking a walk and cleaning and Sunday, I want to RELAX!

1. The last thing I ate was ziti and parmasean.

2. A birthday present is something I recently bought.

3. When it rains, it makes me mad- especially if its during a race.

4.Roxy was the first person I talked to today.

5. Hugs are comfy.

6. Sometimes we all need a little extra comfort.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to just getting home, tomorrow my plans include watching the boys trade paint under the lights at Chicagoland and Sunday, I want to finish a project or two!

1.  A new planet has just been discovered.  And you get to name it.  What name do you choose and why? Well Amy is a good name don’t you think?

2.  What would be your 3 main laws (rules) if you ran your own country? (mine are evidence why I should NOT run a country or probably even a household LOL) Treat others like you want to be treated, Respect Authority, and NASCAR would be the national sport.

3.  What villain from literature or history do you relate to the most?  Why? Kate from Taming of the Shrew.  Because we both have wicked tongues and a rebellious streak a mile long. Although I don’t know that you could call her a villian.

4.  What, if any, is the value of optimism? It’s something I really have to strive for because if I lose my optimism then I just wanna fall into a depression. So I really try to be optimistic…it doesn’t always work because a lot of times the glass looks a lot more empty than it does full.

5.  What annoys you most about technology? That it has turned me into a NOW person. I want to be able to have the world at my fingertips and can get grumpy when I can’t find what I am looking for online.

Bonus -  What is your favorite “special feature” on a DVD? Behind-the-scenes footage

And now for Friday Fill-in #127

1. After work, I am looking forward to going home.

2. My favorite thing for dinner lately has been Fajitas made with leftover steak- quick, easy and delish.

3. Every freaking morning Roxy goes bark! bark! bark!

4. A nice long walk is the best exercise I get.

5. I want to hear some good news.

6. When all is said and done, I want to write a book.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to a nice long walk just me and my ipod, tomorrow my plans include general cleaning and household chores like laundry and Sunday, I want to watch TONY win at LONG POND!!

1. Moving sucks.

2.The best things in life are free.

3. My best quality is my ability to obsess.

4. Heaven is in the details.

5. In nearly 10 11 years, I have worked for the same company.

6. Reassurance is what I need right now!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to my walk, tomorrow my plans include cleaning and Sunday, I want to watch Tony win the Coca-Cola 600!

And Bill’s Quicky-Roo MI-5

1. Motorcycle or Jet Ski? Why? Well if I have to pick one I would say motorcycle only because it is something could drive more often.  It would have to be a nice Harley or one of those bitching choppers with the bad-ass paint jobs though! But a jet ski sure sounds like a ton of fun!
2. Fruit pie or cream pie? Which kind? Why? Hmm I just like pie so it really doesn’t matter…but if I have to pick I guess I would pick fruit pie because there are more combinations and I would be less likely to get sick of one (current favorites of fruit pie are apple and cherry). My favorite pie to make is Buttermilk Pie though.
3. Book or magazine? How come? Book because there is more to it.  More to digest. I am a reader. I love books. I can not go into a bookstore and leave empty handed.  I have read one book so many times that I can recite the entire first page from memory. Six billion brownie points and my undying respect and love if you can figure out which book it is.
4. Hot beverage or cool drink? What’s your fav? Overall I tend to drink cold beverages more than warm. I am NOT one of those people who needs coffee (I tend to get my caffeine in chilled form). I usually only pick warm ones in the winter or when I am sick. So definitely cold beverages. I guess my favorites would be water, ice tea and diet coke for the non-alcoholic variety. On the rare ocassion I swill the alcohol? I am a margarita on the rocks kinda girl (none of the frozen stuff for me).
5. What’s on the grill on Monday–beef, pork, or fowl? What’s the specifics? Beef! Tritip. Maybe some elk sausage if we have any left.  Dad’s grillin’ and I am eating! Oooh and maybe my mom can make that salad with the cornbread in it. I forget what it is called but we don’t eat it that much cuz it is decedent and I LOVE IT!

Bill Sez: We got a new phone system at my office this week. This MI-5 is inspired by that event.

1) When you answer the phone, do you say anything special? At work I say: [Standard department greeting] this is Amy. How can I help you? Personal phone I just say Hello.

2) Other than “Bye” or “Bye-Bye,” do you say anything else when you end a conversation? Do you ever use any other closing? At work I usually say You’re welcome. bye. Personal phone I tend to say bye or talk to you later or see you later…depending on who I am talking to.

3) How about your cell phone… Do you use a lot of minutes, or do you hoard them? Love your cell, or just a necessity/tool? I have a two phone plan even though I am one person- because I have my onstar phone in my car on my verizon plan (it was cheaper than buying onstar minutes- because those minutes are expensive).  I love to talk on my onstar phone- and actually use it more than my actual cell phone only because I tend to be in the car more.

4) Is your answering machine message funny? Cute? Straight ahead, all business? It’s just the default verizon one I think.

5) What phone habit do you find annoying? People who return calls based on their caller ID? (“Someone from there called me.”) People who talk on their cell in the car? People without answering machines? What? It bothers me when people talk on their cell phones in restaurants. While I may take a call if I am dining I always walk outside first.  I am not a big fan of people who talk while driving if they aren’t using a hands free device- especially if they can’t multitask.

And now the Friday Fill-in #124:

1. If we had no winter we wouldn’t have enough water to last us.

2.Sometimes I live in a world of a perpetual astonishment.

3. If I had my life to live over I wouldn’t change a thing.

4. A whole day is inside of four and twenty hours.

5. If you’ve never been thrilled there is something wrong with you- maybe you should get a hobby.

6. To be interested in the changing seasons would be to embrace change.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to going home, tomorrow my plans include the All-Star Race and Sunday, I want to do some spring cleaning!

2.Today is a cold day.

3. Let me embrace thee, sour adversity, because obviously you are in need of a hug.

4.Slightly warmer weather is what I look forward to most about Spring.

5. Who needs therapy when you can vent to your friends.

6.Jelly Beans MUST go into the Easter Basket!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to trying to get the rest of my laundry done, tomorrow my plans include some household chores and Sunday, I want to relax and maybe do some writing!

1. Just recently I started holding a monthly ‘Game Night’ to help give friends an excuse to get out of the house and get together. We kicked it off with a Murder Mystery Party which was great fun, most recently we gathered to play a game of cards called “Bull Donkey” the laughter went on all night. Tell us 4 games you like to play and include either 3 things (memories, feelings, skills, commonalities etc.. related to them). I love games. I do. I am the game player in my family. Of course they will also tell you I am fiercely competetive. I don’t think I am but…any for the answer: Ticket to Ride: Europe(this is a great game because it is interactive, quick moving and I love the network building mechanic), Carcassonne (I love this game because of the puzzle piece mechanic of it, the interaction and strategy), Lost Cities (a great two player game, has lots of strategy and is quick moving), Canasta (fun, traditional, lots of variations).

2. When thinking of throwing a party what 4 people are always at the top of your list and tell us 3 things about them that put them there. BFM (best friend, funny, supportive), Dad (funny, good barbecuer and every party needs a bbq, life of party), Mom (good cooker, also funny, good at getting people to mix), Will-brother (very funny, witty, just entertaining- has lots of great stories)

3. Most parties include food, share with us 4 favorite party dishes but only 3 adjectives to describe each one. Dad’s Salsa (fresh! Spicy! Delicious), Tortilla rollups (creamy, spicy, addictive), Clam dip (creamy, yummy, mine), Teriyaki Chicken Wings (warm, sticky, sweet)

4. Think back over your years and pick 4 parties you have been a part of and tell us 3 things about those parties. (What was it for, what did you wear, who did you see, how did you feel, what did you eat, what made you laugh, what happened, why did you go etc..) I am so NOT a party person that I can’t even think of that many parties.  Of course I did just attend my nephew’s first birthday party…I ate chicken and steak and potato salad and green salad.

5. A popular ice breaker at parties is “The Guessing Game” where you write down words that describe someone and people have to guess who that is. Pick one person from the MI-5 list and give us 4 words that describes them. Then choose a person place & thing that reminds you of that person. (making a total of 7 words) We can all make our guesses during the week, just please let us know who it was by next Friday. Four Words: creative, musical, caring, honest. Person:Bobby Labonte   Place: Ocean  Thing: paper

And Now Friday Fill-in 118:

1. Angel or not, I will not be persuaded.

2. I’ll come any way you want me.

3. As my mother used to say, you’re full of pudding pops.

4. I feel energized after I’m done working out or doing something strenuous.

5. Even in the most crowded of rooms I want to escape.

6. Monday is a day fraught with peril.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to relaxing, tomorrow my plans include finishing up the laundry and Sunday, I want to watch Stewart-Haas racing have a great finish at Texas Motorspeedway!