Sunday Stealing: The Over the Top Meme

This week’s meme comes from Linda at Are We There Yet?

The Over the Top Meme

Part One — Describe:

Your hair? Short, spiky, with blond highlighting.

Your mother? Tenacious, talented, and never fulfilled because she was unable to complete her education. Hence, she was determined to instill in me the desire to complete my education, a goal she lived to see me attain. She was always frustrated that her labor at home did not result in a financial contribution to the household, but she knew how valuable her work was. Still, she pushed me to make my own money, encouraging me to “never be dependent upon a man” for support. And indeed, I never have been.

Your father? The hardest working person I have ever known, with the possible exception of my mother. He was “self-made” in the sense that he dropped out of high school in his freshman year and went to work. It was during World War II when he was drafted into the Army that his mechanical abilities were fleshed out through vocational testing. He served in the motor pool of the Army Air Corps and continued working as an auto mechanic after he was discharged, first for the Chevrolet-Buick-John Deere dealership in the little town in South Dakota where we lived. After we moved to California when I was just six months old, he worked briefly at Chase Chevrolet in Stockton. But Gene Gabbard was opening a Lincoln-Mercury dealership, so he went to work there to avoid the night shift. And remained for 27 years until he retired at the age of 65 in 1984.

Your favorite food? Mexican.

Your dream last night? It was something work-related.

Your favorite drink? Iced white mocha.

Your dream/goal? I’m living it right now: I have my wonderful, supportive, handsome boys; my job; my musical pursuits (including a return to Carnegie Hall in April 2010); and my new home where I’ve been entertaining friends constantly since we moved in.

The room you are in? The living room of my new home. My piano is in the corner — that’s where I rehearse alone or with friends. The sun is streaming in through the dining room window and the French doors, outside of which is the fountain and lovely landscaping. My couches are behind me, situated so that we can get cozy and watch television or movies on my computer monitor.

Your hobby? Music is my avocation; blogging is one of my hobbies.

Your fear? Blindness is the only thing I truly fear.

Your TV? The television I watch most is my parents’ RCA XL 100 with a 25″ screen encased in a walnut cabinet. They purchased it in 1977 — it was one of the first stereo televisions ever sold. It goes and goes and goes and goes … If it ever quits, I will be shocked.

Your pets? Buddy and Sophie are my two additional children.

Your friends? Loyal! I had a couple of them in stitches last week when I said, “Thank God for you guys. I’m too old to go out looking for new friends!” I love the fact that I’ve known most of my friends for at least 25 years and I don’t have to explain my life story to them. They’ve been part of it.

Your life? Settled. Routine. Content.

Your mood? Kind of bummed that I have to be away on business on Mattie-Boo’s actual 18th birthday, but we’ve been celebrating for three days, so it will be fine.

If you’re missing someone? I miss my good friend, Clint Ritchie, every day.

Your best friend? I have several and they are all wonderful, unconditionally loving, supportive folks.

Part Two — The Where’s

Where do you want to be in 6 years? Right here.

Where were you last night? Right here. I cooked dinner for the boys and we had a nice evening.

Where did you grow up? In Lodi, California.

One place that I go to over and over? The beach. If I ever moved from Lodi, it would have to be into a house on a beach.

Your favorite place to eat out? Larry Arroyo’s Mexican Cafe in Stockton.

Wish list items? A baby grand piano would look beautiful in the corner of the living room. I also need new living room furniture, and would like to remodel the master bathroom. I want a doorless shower.

Last time you laughed? About five minutes ago, MattieBoo cracked me up.

Last time you cried? I don’t remember.

Part Three — The What’s

Something that you aren’t? Vengeful. And I don’t hold grudges.

Last thing you did? Laundry. I’m still working on it. It is a never-ending chore.

What are you wearing? P.J.‘s.

Something you’re not wearing? Make up.

Your favorite store? I hate to shop, but if I must, the store I tolerate best is Target.

Click here to see the list of other participants, visit their sites, and read their responses.