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Each week, I plan on listing four statements with a blank for you to fill in on your own blogs. If you want to join the fun and come up with four fill in’s of your own, please email them to me at feelingbeachie@gmail.com. If I use them, I will add you as co-host to the hop! This week’s co-host is Beth Ann from It’s Just Life - She came up with the last two statments!

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I would LOVE it if you could please help me spread the word about this hop…. So, please tweet, FaceBook share, and add the linky to your post…

This week’s statements:

1. I don’t understand ___ and probably never will

2. I prefer ___ to ____

3. My favorite smell is ______________because ___________________

4. I suspect my neighbors of _________________

My Answers:

1. I don’t understand jealousy and probably never will (until you walk in someone else’s shoes you really never know what they are dealing with. Why be jealous of something on the surface?

2. I prefer vegetables to potatoes

3. My favorite smell is chocolate chip cookies baking because well, after you smell them, you get to eat them, right?

4. I suspect my neighbors of being a little crazy, especially in the summer. Why live on the beach and not actually go to the beach. Am I the only one who finds that weird?

Please add the Follow Friday button to your post, or your blog.

Please follow me. If there is a co-host, please follow them as well. Leave a comment! I will follow back!

Please link your Follow Friday Four Fill-In Fun post to the linky below. PLEASE grab the linky and post on your blog…

The reason why, I think, I never felt like I missed out on having two sisters is the fact that when I think of that particular family dynamic, it makes me a little nervous. I think I would worry that having two sisters, especially close in age, would resemble what happens when you are a kid, and you have two friends over at one time. Two people always seem to get along perfectly and the third one feels like the odd man out. I have friends that are one of three girls, and they would tell me I am wrong. But, my feeling is the basis of the conflict that plagues the three sisters, Rose, Bean, and Cordy, in the novel the Weird Sisters, by Eleanor Brown.

There was a three year age difference between the girls, with Rose being the oldest, and Cordy the youngest. Growing up in a very small town, the sisters would constantly form and shift their alliances with each other, leaving one sister always sitting on the emotional sidelines. The result was none of the sisters were particularly close as grew up and became women.

To make matters worse, the three girls carried jealousies against their sisters related to their birth order. Rose, the oldest, resented losing her place as the only child, when her sisters were born. Despite her feelings, she took it upon herself to be their protector growing up. She carried that nurturing need over to her parents as her sisters moved away. But, while she was so busy worrying about everyone, she was slowly loosing herself. Cordy, the baby, appeared to be everyone’s favorite. She skirted through life with no responsibilities, seemingly getting everything she wanted. And Bean, born in the middle felt that nothing she ever did was good enough. After all, Rose did everything first and Cordy seemed to it better.

Cordy and Bean escaped their small town as soon as they were able. Bean fled to New York City, where she was known by her given name Bianca, trying to find happiness materialistically, while Cordy let her wanderlust just carry her from place to place, with little more than a knapsack.

When their mother was diagnosed with breast cancer, Bean and Cordy returned to their childhood home, joining their sister Rose who was already there. But both Bean and Cordy were motivated by more than just assisting their ailing mother. They both had secrets, and both needed help.

As an adult, living once again under one roof with your sisters and your parents would be hard for anyone, but it is especially difficult if you are like Rose, Bean and Cordy, who while they do love each they just don’t like one another all that much. Beautifully written in the plural first person, Eleanor Brown really makes you understand what makes each sister tick, by weaving in stories of their childhoods. I fell in love with each one of the girls, as well as the small town in which they grew up, and was so sorry when the book came to an end.

To find out more about this great book, check out the discussion on Blogher!

Do you have siblings?  How is your relationships with them?????

This is a paid review for BlogHer Book Club but the opinions expressed are my own.”

Please link up your Wordless Wednesday posts, and leave a comment when linking up…./span>

“What are you talking about?” he asked, as I quickly grabbed a pair of pants and started dressing. “It is earlier than you usually leave for work.”

“I know, but I have to go to the eye doctor first. I have an appointment before, and it is going to take me twenty minutes to drive there. How do I always run out of time?”

“They will wait for you,” he tried to calm me down. “After all, how long do you usually wait there? You better not rush. All I need is you getting into an accident because you were trying not to be late.”

“I know… won’t drive fast. But, I got to get out of here now!”

And then a strange look came over his face. “Are you sure your appointment is for today?”

“Yes.”

“Really? I could have sworn you told me it was Thursday. I put a reminder in my phone about it, and I didn’t get it. Are you sure you have the right day?”

Doubt came over me. Suddenly I wasn’t sure. Could he be right I wondered? I raced downstairs to where my cell phone was and checked the calendar. I had nothing in there – for any day. Then I remembered I sent myself an email when I made the appointment. I opened up my laptop, and logged into my email. Sure enough, I found an email to myself about my appointment being Thursday.

I went back upstairs and confessed that I was wrong. Since I now had time to blow my hair, I reached for the hair dryer. “So, let me get this straight,” Marc asked. “How did you get the appointments wrong? Did you have it in your calendar wrong?”

His question was met with silence.

“Um, are you going to answer me?” he asked.

Sheeplishly I replied, “I didn’t put it in my calendar. I don’t really use a calendar much. I don’t believe in them. After all, if I can’t remember, how important can it be?”

He smiled at me, and replied, “Yeah, I see how well your method is working for you.”

Several hours later, I received this email from him:

From Marc @ Work to Hilary @ Work:

Your appointment is Thursday at 8:00. I know this because I have a computer calendar, cool stuff…

So, for years, I have watched my parents gather around their laptops and ooh and ahh over images they saw on their screen. They looked ridiculous, let me tell you. I am sure my parents aren’t the only ones that exhibited this odd behavior. I wouldn’t be surprised if your parents did the same thing… You know the look, I am sure. Their eyes are glazed, their mouths are hanging open, and they sit there nodding their heads, totally and completely fascinated. Bizarre!

Eventually, one of them makes their way over to their wallet and grabs a credit card, and before you know it a box appears with useless stuff. I have never understood their fascination with online shopping. Until NOW!!!!

On New Year’s Day, I learned that I won a $50 gift certificate to Mr. Chewy from my friend Max. Let me tell you, I was excited. I made sure that my mom ordered me cases of food (and the good stuff, not the prescription food they insist on feeding me). I was so excited (about the food) that is. But, I wasn’t so sure about this online shopping thing.

But, that opinion quickly changed when a box came from Mr. Chewy with my food, a day later. I was shocked at the speed. It was wonderful… all that delicious goodness, and so fast. I was one happy man cat.

I like to have a lot of food in bulk laying around (you never know what can happen if you aren’t stocked) so I made my parents order me more a few weeks later, and again, I was blown away by how fast my food came. Finally, I understand why my parents love to shop online (although I still don’t understand their purchases). I know I will be ordering more from Mr. Chewy – thank goodness I know where my daddy keeps his amex card!

Do you know Mr. Chewy?

They have 70+ Brands! They have subscription based ordering, so you can get your favorite products hassle free! Shipping is super-fast, and if you order $49 or more you get it free!

Follow Mr Chewy on Facebook and twitter… I do!

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Each week, I plan on listing four statements with a blank for you to fill in on your own blogs. If you want to join the fun and come up with four fill in’s of your own, please email them to me at feelingbeachie@gmail.com. If I use them, I will add you as co-host to the hop! This week’s co-host is Jen from what would Jen do – she came up with the last two statements.

I would LOVE it if you could please help me spread the word about this hop…. So, please tweet, FaceBook share, and add the linky to your post…

This week’s statements:

1. I never eat ______

2. I am not a ___

3. I think ______ are really weird

4. Sometimes when I __________ I always wonder if people are ___________

My Answers:

1. I never eat Chinese food. I really don’t like it, but I used to go with my mom all the time because she does. I realized recently I haven’t eaten it in six years, ever since she moved out of state.

2. I am not a procrastinator

3. I think Uggs worn with shorts are really weird (ok, truth be told, I don’t like Uggs)

4. Sometimes when I am unhappy I always wonder if people are unhappy too

Please add the Follow Friday button to your post, or your blog.

Please follow me. If there is a co-host, please follow them as well. Leave a comment! I will follow back!

Please link your Follow Friday Four Fill-In Fun post to the linky below. PLEASE grab the linky and post on your blog…

link up your wordless wednesday posts….

Marc and I were out to dinner earlier in the month with his brother, his wife, and two other couples. We were all chatting and catching up while nibbling on appetizers of fried calamari and baked clams when are attention was diverted to the table next to us. The entire wait staff was assembled around the table, singing happy birthday to a patron. When they were done, the entire restaurant, as usual clapped.

“Guess this week is a big birthday week,” our friend Tommy said. “My birthday is tomorrow.”

“Really?” Marc’s brother asked. “Mine was last week, and Marc’s is next week.”

“And mine is the end of the month,” exclaimed Jessica.

“Wow!” we all said pretty much in unison.

Marc’s brother then raised his wine glass in the air. We all followed his lead, as he began to sing the happy birthday song at the top of his lungs. The rest of us, of course, joined in. When we were done, again, the surrounding tables clapped in celebration.

And then, an instant later, as if they were participating in a sing off, the table next to us, who had the birthday celebration moments before, started singing, “we wish you a merry Christmas,” before bursting into hysterical laughter.

Have you had any unusual experiences in a restaurant with your fellow diners?

1. Describe yourself in 7 words:

Hilary – Shoe addicted, compulsive, clumsy, fun loving, over-achiever

Alex – purrfect, purrfect, purrfect, purrfect, purrfect, purrfect, purrfect

2. What keeps you up at night?

Hilary – Alex!

Alex – thinking of ways to get my mom up on time for MY breakfast…. Man, is she lazy

3. Who would I like to be?

Hilary – Alex… he has the life

Alex – ME! I have it made! My parents wait on my hand over paw1

4. What am I wearing now?

Hilary – I feel like I am talking to a guy who I just started dating. And I also feel the urge to lie and make up some wild outfit, but I am actually wearing the tee shirt I slept in and gray sweat pants

Alex – I don’t wear clothes silly!

5. What scares me?

Hilary – Going with a silly fear. I am scared of snakes – good thing I have never seen one!

Alex – the thought of my mom sleeping late and missing my breakfast

6. The best and worst of blogging:

Hilary – all the friends I have made is the best. The worst is that it is so time consuming. I never feel like I have time to visit all the sites I want to

Alex – The best is meeting my girlfriend gracie. The worst. There is none for me. My servant, I mean my mom, does all the work!

7. The last website I visited:

Hilary –gotomypc.com – I had to log into work

Alex – Brian’s Home– had to see my girlfriend Gracie (she is a hottie, isn’t she?)

8. What is the one thing I would change about myself

Hilary – I wish I wasn’t so hard on myself, and I need to learn how to relax

Alex – did you not read that I am purrfect?

9. Slankets yes or no?

Hilary – I don’t have one, but I think I would like one

Alex – Nah… I have enough beds as it is…

10. Tell us something about the person who tagged you:

Hilary – Caren is one of the first bloggers I met and developed a friendship with. She is a funny, generous and wonderful woman and I am fortunate to call her my friend. When my husband, Marc’s dad passed away a few months back, I emailed Caren and let her know. I expected an email back, but I was blown away by the fact that she called me to express her sympathy and also sent us a beautiful basked. I was amazed at her generosity. We have spoken on the phone since, and I can attest the wonderful person she appears to be online is how she really is in real life.

Alex – Duh! She is Cody’s mom…

I am supposed to tag people now, so I will, but I really want to tag everyone… so if you want to play along….

Susi – Boca Frau

Brenda – Ficton with a purpose

Brian & Gracie – Brian’s home

Leslie –Time out for Mom

Tere – Yep, this is my life, wanna trade (who gave me the versatile blog award the other day, thanks!)

Jennifer – just another day

Mr. Pip

Beth Ann – It’s just life

Each week, I plan on listing four statements with a blank for you to fill in on your own blogs. If you want to join the fun and come up with four fill in’s of your own, please email them to me at feelingbeachie@gmail.com. If I use them, I will add you as co-host to the hop! This week’s co-host is Brenda from Ficton with a Purpose. She came up with the last two statements.

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I would LOVE it if you could please help me spread the word about this hop…. So, please tweet, FaceBook share, and add the linky to your post…

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This week’s statements:

1. Nothing is better than.____

2. I ___my ___ in ___but never ____

3. Those _____ that are always _____ make me want to ___________

4. My favorite _________________ is when __________________________.

My Answers:

1. Nothing is better than getting into a fresh made bed at the end of a long day

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2. I dip my fries in ketchup but never put ketchup on top of them

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3. Those people that are always making promises that they never keep make me want to scream

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4. My favorite time of the day is when the sun has barely come out, and the house is quiet and cozy

Please add the Follow Friday button to your post, or your blog.

Please follow me. If there is a co-host, please follow them as well. Leave a comment! I will follow back!

Please link your Follow Friday Four Fill-In Fun post to the linky below. PLEASE grab the linky and post on your blog…