My Portfolio

This week's prompt is about Nicknames, so I thought I'd write about my family's given names and nicknames. My given name is Sandra Jean Smith. Jean was my mother's middle name.  When I got married, I became Sandra Jones . How common and boring can you get.? I should have at...

Prompt o' the day is : List 5 life rules to live by that are uniquely yours. "Rules are for the obedience of fools and the guidance of wise men". -Douglas Bader I've never given any thought to the idea of "having rules to live by"..  But,  after some thought I...

Classic horror movie plot:  Couple on a date, hoping to make out and there is an "intruder" inside the house! For a while I was dating a great guy named Ron. My boys were really small and they liked him.  Evan must have been maybe 2 and Cody 4 years old. ...

Ghost Stories.... Almost 3 months ago I moved to small town in Texas and into a home that was built in 1920.  It is quirky to say the least. There is plenty of work to do to restore this home and I imagine it will keep me busy for years and...

This weeks question is: What did your Grandparents do for a living? My maternal Grandfather is Parnell Julian Smeby.  In the1930 census at the age of  26 he is listed as a Barber.  Later he farmed in Hickson, ND for about 24 years. He then moved to Nielsville, MN and then...

Describe some character, physical or cultural traits that have been passed down to you by your ancestors. Let's just start with the fact that I'm adopted so there aren't any physical traits I share with other family members. My direct family is quite the "potpourri"... My adopted sister Sheri is Norwegian...

Describe your first car(s), where you drove it and with whom?  My dad was probably wise in not letting me get my drivers license until my Senior Year.  I was given his powder blue Lincoln Versailles in 1982,.  I would imagine it was a '77 - that is when they first...

  The brain and memories are a funny thing.  I don’t have a good memory.  I’m also horrible with dates, and names.  Yet, I can still pull out of my brain commercial jingles from early childhood - like Libby’s, Oscar Mayer, and Fig Newton’s and songs from the radio. Yep, I'm...

Easter: what a crazy conflicted holiday; A greedy egg grabbin', candy filled day for kids, a great meal and fun with family or friends,  mixed with a solemn rememberance of the brutal crucifixtion of Christ, and gratitude for his unfathomable gift to all. My memories are a mix of all and...

This probably falls under my common theme of TMI (Too much information) but it is what it is.. When I was 20, one work night my best friend Troy spent the night at my apartment.  We were both getting ready in the morning and I was showering and he was making...

I've been told over the years that I evidently have no "edit button". Which is sooo not true. I find myself editing my thoughts ALL the time, but evidently not enough.  I've been told  I am real, crazy, too funny, impatient, open, passionate, impulsive and even inappropriate.  That said, I have...

Describe an experience from a memorable travel destination you've been to: Hmmm... this is a hard one.  What makes a trip memorable? The adventure, the differences, the people, the trip there, what you did when you were there, the scenery, the occassion? I've seen beautiful scenic sights,great  night life, historical locations...

This week's prompt is: Do you believe in miracles and if so, have you ever witnessed one? Describe.  Miracle: "An extraordinary event manifesting divine intervention in human affairs”.   I think if you believe in a divine being, you are likely to believe in miracles.  If not, you might be more...

This week’s prompt is: Do you make New Year resolutions? If not why? If so, what are your 2012 resolutions? First off - Happy New Year!! And happy 2012! Most nights, I stay home - avoiding the drunks on the road.  Last night, I went to dinner with my best friend,...

This months' story prompt is: "If you could go back and relive any part of your life what would you do differently and why? I've heard people say "I wouldn't do ANYTHING different, because it made me who I am". NOTHING? Really? Sure we learn from our mistakes and foolish behaviors,...

If you  know me,  you know I love to cook, and I'm an eater.   I keep with tradition for the most part, but every few years I have to mix it up with a new side dish or dessert.  My favorite thing on the table at Thanksgiving or Christmas is...

Pride - it's a sticky word... I'm not really comfortable with it. It often accompanies things like arrogance, bragging and the such.  But there is no denying the feeling of being pleased over certain accomplishments, moments, and people in life. I've tried to think of moments in my life I have felt proud...

Our home was in San Diego at Mesa Village. I don't know recall why, but I stayed home that day from work, I am pretty certain it was a migraine.  Cody was 11 and Evan was almost 9 and I had taken them to school and went home to go back to bed.  When I...

This months' question pertaining to our first serious relationship is a little tricky and bittersweet. Looking back, most of my early relationships were filled with plenty of girl-drama, and were not very long and not what I'd call "serious" by my standards today, but at the time I certainly I thought they were! ...

The earliest recollection I have of what I wanted to be when I grow is probably elementary school age. I wanted to be a stewardess. This was before we had to call everyone a "flight attendant".  This was a short-lived dream for two very big reasons:  First I had a growth-hormone...