WINNER of our "Save a Turkey - Gobble a Book" Blog Tour Contest

We're delighted to announce that the winner of our "Save a Turkey - Gobble a Book" blog tour contest is ...

MARILYN!!

Congratulations! We hope you enjoy your free eBook copy of I.O.U. SEX.

This blog tour was so much fun for us, especially reading the names of all the favorite dishes listed in your comments. Tofurkey and turkey. Corn pudding, corn bread, cheese potatoes. Pumpkin rolls, pumpkin pie, pistachio salad. Pecan pie too. Our winner Marilyn said she goes straight for the desserts. Just reading the list of favorites was enough to add five pounds to anybody's hips!

Thank you to everyone who participated. We're glad you enjoyed our tongue-in-cheek look at raising turkeys in your own backyard. Have a glorious Thanksgiving (or autumn season, depending on where you live) and we hope to hear from you again real soon.


FYI: For info on ordering I.O.U. SEX as an eBook or in paperback, click on the "Buy I.O.U. SEX" tab under the header above.


Illustration source: http://thanksgiving-greetings.blogspot.com/2010/08/corporate-thanksgiving-greetings.html

SAVE A TURKEY - GOBBLE A BOOK

Blog Hop Tour - November 14-21

Can suburbanites raise turkeys in their 
own back yards?

Recent news articles about home-grown chickens, as well as a discussion of our plans for Thanksgiving, led us to the following questions:

How about turkeys? Would it be possible to create a personal back yard flock? (Homeowner association rules permitting, of course.)

Curiosity led us to our computers. The Internet holds a surprising number of articles on this subject.  Here are some turkey facts:

• It takes a broad-breasted Bronze turkey about 24 weeks to reach a weight of 16 to 25 pounds. (So you need to start planning your home-grown Thanksgiving meal way in advance.)

• Baby turkeys are called “poults.” (Why? Shouldn’t they be called “turks”?)

• Turkeys love to be around people. (So you should visit them once or twice a day.)

• You’ll need a yard or fenced pen measuring at least 75 ft. by 75 ft. - about 1/8 acre - to raise a dozen turkeys. (You could put them in your front yard but that might create a traffic pile-up, so behind your back yard fence might be best.)

• How to tell a tom from a hen? The toms will fluff out their feathers and start strutting at an early age. (Must be those pesky male hormones.)

• Detailed instructions are given for slaughtering and plucking. (Not for the faint of heart.)

We don’t know about the rest of suburbia, but after feeding, watering, and spending quality time with our turkeys, we’re not sure we’d be able to actually eat them. Six months of care, from birth to maturity, would make it awfully hard to swing that axe, especially if our toms looked as handsome as the one pictured below. Instead of gracing our serving platters, our turkeys would probably rule the roost, sit at our expanded Thanksgiving tables, and say, “Pass the chicken, please!”

So, rather than murder your hand-raised Meleagris gallopavo, we suggest a trip to your local supermarket for an anonymous bird. Or better still, as the theme of this blog tour says, SAVE A TURKEY and GOBBLE A BOOK!

GIVEAWAY: To encourage you, we're giving away a free eBook download of our novel, I.O.U. Sex. We'll also send you a collection of our favorite recipes for Turkey Day, from our kitchens to yours. To enter, simply comment on this post and include the name of your favorite Thanksgiving (or wintertime) dish. Be sure to also include your email address so we can contact you if you're our winner.

To connect to other blog tour participants, click here for the master list:  Save a Turkey - Gobble a Book 

I.O.U. Sex is available in paperback and eBook formats from Amazon, Barnes and Noble,  CreateSpace and Smashwords.

OFFICIAL RULES:

1.  Have fun!!

2.  Invite all of your friends. Spread the word!

3.  This tour starts: Monday, November 14, at midnight (Arizona Time)

     This tour ends: Monday, November 21, at midnight (Arizona Time)

     Winners will be drawn and their names posted by November 25 ***

4.  Meet and mingle with all the authors on their book pages. Experience

     a new destination at every stop. Participate in every blog contest, and

     be entered for chances to win multiple prizes. Every blog visited is

     another opportunity to win.

5.  Participation at all blogs is recommended but not required. 

     Remember,the more blogs you hop, the better your chances of 

     winning prizes.

     Every author and book page is waiting to meet and interact with you,

     so please be sure to show them some love.

6.  Did I mention to have fun? Whoo! Hoo! Here we goooooo!

*** Authors and book pages have full discretion to choose an alternate winner in the event any winner fails to claim their prize(s) within 72 hours of their name being posted or after notification of win, whichever comes first. Anyone who participates in this blog tour is subject to these rules.

Sources for turkey facts:

Mother Earth News - "Raising Turkeys at Home"

Cooperative Extension, University of New Hampshire - "Raising Turkeys"

Photo source:  Wikipedia

Sweet Saturday Sample - Oct 29

            This week we’re again following Peggy, a character from our book I.O.U. SEX. Peg has finally decided this is the day to start getting healthier. We have all experienced that moment of clarity when change is upon us, but what will Peg do with hers?

            With new resolve and inspiration, Peggy dressed and marched down to the kitchen for her first healthy breakfast. She filled the teakettle with water, set it on a burner to boil, then went in search of something low calorie to eat. She found an orange and several apples in the fridge, leftovers from when she’d made an apple cinnamon cake with citrus glaze topping. Choosing the orange, she stood at the sink and removed the peel with her thumbnail. She bit into the juicy pulp—mmmm, delicious—and wondered how long it had been since she’d eaten fresh fruit without whipped cream or sugar on it.

            While waiting for the kettle to whistle, she went to the pantry for a teabag. In her search, she found two boxes of pop tarts, some sugary cereals, and a container of pancake mix, her usual breakfast choices. She threw it all into the trash. Wherever she looked, junk food lurked on the shelves. She attacked the high-calorie items in the same way she weeded her rose beds—without mercy. Ten minutes later, the trash can overflowed and the pantry’s shelves were almost empty. She reached for a pen and started a list of all the things she’d need to buy at the grocery store later that afternoon.

            Sipping her tea, Peggy added other items to her list—workout clothes, walking shoes, socks, pedometer, notebook, as well as a book that listed the calorie content of foods.

            She’d have to do a lot of preparation to really begin attacking her fat in earnest. Rather than be daunted by the work ahead, Peggy felt energized and optimistic. She grabbed her purse and keys. The Farmer’s Market sounded like a good place to start.

Even though she didn’t have a lot of healthy foods on hand, Peg made the most nutritious choice available to her—a fresh orange. She’s off to a great start, because she’s now aware of what she’s putting in her mouth! But as many of us know, the real challenge comes as the days turn into weeks. Can Peggy hang in there with her healthy eating plan? Is there some exercise in her future? Will she find something to inspire her to stick with this major lifestyle change?


Book Title: I.O.U. Sex
Genre: Women's Fiction / Romance
Book Rating: R (sex between consenting adults M/F)
Available in paperback and eBook formats from Amazon, Barnes & Noble,  CreateSpace and Smashwords.


Thank you to J. Gunnar Grey for once again hosting Sweet Saturday Samples. To read posts from other blog hop participants, click here: Sweet List 

SPOOK-A-LICIOUS BLOG HOP TOUR - Contest Winner

          

     We're pleased to announce that Nay Nay is the lucky winner of an ebook download of I.O.U. SEX. Nay Nay said her favorite Halloween costume would be a Regency ball gown, and she doesn't care if she has the figure for it or not! We feel exactly the same way.
     Thank you to everyone who took the time to leave comments and enter our Spook-a-Licious contest. If we invited everybody who entered to a Halloween party, we'd have: a gothic demon, an Amazon warrior princess, Xena, Cleopatra, a Doraemon character, a Victorian vampire, Scarlet O'Hara, an angel, an Egyptian priestess, a Greek goddess, plus party-goers dressed in gothic fey, a regency ball gown, and a glittery dress with a feathered mask. We'll be the ones in the Annie Oakley and Elvira (Mistress of the Dark) outfits. Wouldn't that be a fun group?
     To find out how to order I.O.U. SEX (as an ebook or in paperback), click on the Buy I.O.U. SEX tab above. And have Spook-a-Licious Halloween!

Sweet Saturday Samples - Oct 1

Over lunch the three main characters from I.O.U. SEX--June, Kiki, and Peggy--discuss their progress in tracking down their former high school steadies. Both Kiki and June are hot on the trail of their old beaus, but Peggy swears she isn't interested in finding Mark, her first love. This might have something to do with the fact that she thinks she is the size of a heifer. However, that doesn't stop Peg from ignoring her doctor's advice to eat healthy foods. Her order of chicken fried steak with all the fixin's has just arrived, and she's diggin' in.

   Embarrassed by the whole conversation, Peg turned her attention to cutting up her steak. She used the largest piece to sop up a glob of mashed potatoes, along with some gravy, before stuffing the bite into her mouth. She closed her eyes, savoring the heavenly combination of tastes and textures.

     For a few moments, the women ate in silence. Peggy glanced down at her chest and dabbed at a drop of gravy with her napkin, then reached into her purse to retrieve the Tide pen she kept there. She frowned, wishing food didn't always land on her boobs like they were a baby's bib. She used the pen to erase the stain and blotted the spot with her napkin again.

As they finish their meal, Peggy makes a decision.

    If June and Kiki can look for their old boyfriends, maybe I can search for Mark too. I really am curious about him and have always wondered how his life turned out.

    She stirred her drink with her straw and stared into space.

    Besides, I don't have to act on whatever I find and actually meet him in person. Other than Kiki and June, no one will even have to know. This will just be a way of finding an answer to a question--a question I've had for a long, long time.

    Where did Mark go and why did he leave without a word?

Peggy's challenge is not only to find her old boyfriend but also to get her weight and related health issues under control. Like approximately 70% of the U.S. population, she's overweight and, at this point, she's losing the battle. But that could change.

Thank you to everyone who reads our Sweet Saturday Samples, especially those people who leave comments! We treasure your input. For more Sweet Saturday Samples, click here: The Sweet Saturday List.

SULTRY SUMMER NIGHTS - IGNITE YOUR PASSIONS BLOG HOP TOUR - August 22-29

SUMMER LOVIN’…DID YOU GET VERY FAR?

Do the words summer lovin' bring back memories of your teenage years? We sure remember the good ole days of summer way back when … and so do the three main characters in our book, I.O.U. SEX. After all, their goal was to find their former high school steadies and give them the sex they’d missed out on so many years before.

So let your mind travel back in time and think ... going steady, necking at the drive-in, and summer lovin’ as we revisit Dallas with our character June. She’s at the drive-in theater with her one-and-only, and they’re not watching the show.

Photo Source: Coltera's Photostream

    “Mmmm, Junie. You drive me wild.” Denny reached across the vinyl-covered seat and pulled June closer.

    She snuggled against him and stretched up to whisper in his ear. “Wild, huh?” She inhaled his unique scent—Brut aftershave mixed with the faint aroma of Lava soap and motor oil from his dad’s garage.

    Denny’s laugh sounded nervous. When he shivered, June giggled and stroked his wavy hair, then tickled his earlobe with her tongue, making him gasp.

    “Whoa, baby. You better slow down or you’ll get more than you bargained for.” He turned and grasped her shoulders, staring into her blue eyes. “Or have you changed your mind?”
    June scooted away, her warm feelings cooled by Denny’s question. She pushed her long blonde hair off her face and anchored it behind her ears. “You know how I feel about going all the way. Why can’t we just have some fun?”

    Denny groaned. “Junie, baby, you really don’t understand, do you? Have you ever heard of blue balls?”

    June stammered. “B-blue what?”

    Denny ran his fingers through his hair, making the short strands stand on end. He sighed. “Never mind. Come back here, June Bug. Let’s figure out what we can do without actually doing it.” He pulled her closer and slid the spaghetti straps off her shoulders, gently kissing the spots where the fabric had been only moments before.

    They’d done some heavy petting in the past, so June didn’t object. She loved it when Denny caressed her breasts and his kisses warmed her inside and out. Once she’d let him touch her down there. It felt go good—until she got scared and made him stop. She could only imagine the thrill of real sex.

    Of course, good girls didn’t go all the way. She’d had long discussions with Kiki and Peggy on the subject of how far to go without getting a bad reputation. Peggy said once you did something, boys seemed to expect it every time. And Kiki sure had a lot of information for someone who claimed virginity.
    June smiled and unbuttoned Denny’s shirt.

♥ ♥ ♥

Perhaps you once met a boy who was cute as could be, and you remember your summer days drifting away. We hope this blast from the past reminds you of hot summer nights at the drive-in movies with your first love.

GIVEAWAY: As a thank you for joining us on our visit to the Jefferson Drive-In in Dallas, Texas, we're giving away a free download of I.O.U. SEX from Smashwords. Even if you don't own a Kindle, the book can be downloaded to your computer, iPad, Nook, etc. Just post a comment below, give the name of your favorite movie, and include your email address for notification in case you win. We'll put your name in the pot for the drawing on August 30.

To connect with more Sultry Summer Nights participants, click on this link:

SULTRY SUMMER NIGHTS

TOUR RULES:

1) HAVE FUN!!!
2) INVITE ALL OF YOUR FRIENDS!!! SPREAD THE WORD!!!
3) THIS TOUR STARTS: Monday, August 22, at Midnight (Arizona Time)
THIS TOUR ENDS: Monday, August 29, at Midnight (Arizona Time)
Winners will be drawn and posted August 30th! ***
4) MEET AND MINGLE WITH ALL THE AUTHORS! EXPERIENCE A DIFFERENT SULTRY SUMMER NIGHT AT EVERY STOP! PARTICIPATE IN EVERY BLOG CONTEST AND BE ENTERED FOR CHANCES TO WIN MULTIPLE PRIZES! EVERY BLOG VISITED IS ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO WIN!!
5) PARTICIPATION AT ALL BLOGS IS RECOMMENDED, BUT NOT REQUIRED. REMEMBER, THE MORE BLOGS YOU HOP, THE BETTER YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING PRIZES. EVERY AUTHOR IS WAITING TO MEET AND INTERACT WITH YOU, SO PLEASE BE SURE TO SHOW EVERY AUTHOR SOME LOVE!
6) DID I MENTION TO HAVE FUN? WHOO! HOO!! HERE WE GOOOOOOOOOOOO!

***Authors have full discretion to choose an alternate winner in the event any winner fails to claim their prize(s) within 72 hours of their name being posted or after notification of win, whichever comes first. Anyone who participates in this blog hop tour is subject to these rules***

AND THE TREASURE QUEST WINNER IS ...

     We're delighted to announce that the winner of an eBook copy of I.O.U. SEX is "shadowestr." Thank you to everyone who took the time to read our blog tour post, and an especially warm thank you to those who added their comments and entered our contest. We sincerely appreciate your interest.
     Be on the lookout for future blog tours -- with more chances to win.


XXXOOO from Sandy and Sandra.

TREASURE QUEST: DISCOVERY LIES BETWEEN THE COVERS: Mega Author Blog Hop Tour (July 18-25)

TREASURED PLACES

We've traveled around the U.S. and seen a bit of the world – together and separately - and there are many spots that we each will never forget. Here's a tour of just a few of those treasured places.

Portomarin, Galicia Region of Spain

THE CAMINO, SPAIN

Over 1,000 years ago, pilgrims began walking the Camino de Santiago (The Way of St. James) across Spain. It's mentioned in Chaucer's Canterbury Tales! In the Middle Ages, criminals were sometimes allowed to walk the route as penance for their crimes. Those who successfully completed the journey received a certificate issued by the Cathedral in Santiago. This document served as a get-out-of-Purgatory-free card to sinners who returned home with this evidence of their feat. Villages also sometimes sent emissaries to the Santiago Cathedral to pray for rain or for relief from plague. The Camino is a popular pilgrimage to this day.

Sandy N: Along with my daughter-in-law and her mom, I walked for three weeks and covered the segment of the Camino Francés route from León to Santiago de Compostelo. I was 59 years old at the time, so I'm pretty proud of that accomplishment. Staying in hostels, eating local food, drinking local wine, meeting a variety of people from a variety of nations - my walk on the Camino was an experience I'll treasure always.

Sandra A: And I got to live vicariously through Sandy as she called and sent emails to let me know how her aching feet felt during her amazing feat!

Estes Park Aerial Tramway
Prospect Mountain

ESTES PARK, COLORADO

Known as the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park is located in north central Colorado. The first people to visit the area, Native Americans, hunted in this valley during the summers; John Estes and his family founded a cattle ranch here beginning in 1859. Surrounded by nationally protected lands and by mountain peaks ranging in elevation from 8,500 to over 14,000 feet, the valley's beauty has drawn visitors since the late 1800s. This picture shows the tramway that takes visitors to the top of Prospect Mountain, overlooking the town. 

Sandra A: Estes Park was my honeymoon destination back in the dark ages. Now my daughter lives in Colorado, so I often get to take a side trip to this beautiful treasure. I'd live there if I could!

Sandy N: Sandra and I took this gondola ride together in 2005. I love the entire state of Colorado! The mountains are breathtakingly beautiful, the ski slopes are awesome, and the people are friendly every place I've been. Estes Park is located among some of the most gorgeous scenery I've seen anywhere.

Photo: wikitravel.org/en/versailles/#b

PALACE OF VERSAILLES, NEAR PARIS, FRANCE

Back in the mid-1600s Louis XIV moved his government to Versailles and expanded it into one of the largest palaces in the world. The opulent palace later became the home of Marie Antoinette, and to this day it remains a treasure to the French people. The palace, furnishings, and gardens are among the most beautiful in the world.

Sandra A: Having visited Versailles, I can unequivocally state that it is a treasure to behold. The gardens are breathtaking, and I wouldn't mind being the queen who lived in the rooms that were gilded with gold.

Sandy N: Although I have been to France, I have never been to Paris. A visit to Versailles is near the top on my list of places to see.

Mount Rainier National Park
Paradise Area

MOUNT RAINIER, WASHINGTON

At 14,410 feet above sea level, Mount Rainier is the fifth highest peak and tallest volcano in the contiguous United States. The Paradise area of the park (at 5,420 feet) receives an average of 680 inches of snowfall every year. That's nearly 57 feet! We've both experienced The Mountain (as Washingtonians call it), and two of our characters from I.O.U. SEX walk its hiking trails.

Sandy N: I live in the Pacific Northwest, and Mount Rainier is a vista I never tire of enjoying. During our rainy winters, it sometimes hides for weeks at a time, but when The Mountain is out, the majestic peak dominates the landscape.

Sandra A: On one of my visits to Washington State, Sandy and I drove to Paradise on Mount Rainier. I can certainly see how it earned its name!

We hope you've enjoyed visiting a few of our treasured places. As a thank you, we're giving away a free download of I.O.U. SEX from Smashwords. (Even if you don't own a Kindle, the book can be downloaded to your computer, iPad, Nook, etc.) Just post a comment below, giving the name of your treasured travel spot and include your email address (for notification in case you win). We'll put your name in the pot for the drawing on July 26.  

To continue your quest for treasure, check out the next blog. No telling what gems you will find here:

Sherry Gloag - The Heart of Romance

Here's more info about the Treasure Quest blog tour.

TOUR RULES:

1)  HAVE FUN!!!

2)  INVITE ALL OF YOUR FRIENDS!!! SPREAD THE WORD!!!

3)  THIS TOUR STARTS:  Monday, July 18, at Midnight (Arizona Time)

      THIS TOUR ENDS: Monday, July 25, at Midnight (Arizona Time)

      Winners will be drawn and posted July 26th! *** 

4)  MEET AND MINGLE WITH ALL THE AUTHORS! EXPERIENCE A NEW TREASURE AT EVERY STOP! PARTICIPATE IN EVERY BLOG CONTEST AND BE ENTERED FOR CHANCES TO WIN MULTIPLE PRIZES! EVERY BLOG VISITED IS ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO WIN!!

5)  PARTICIPATION AT ALL BLOGS IS RECOMMENDED, BUT NOT REQUIRED. REMEMBER, THE MORE BLOGS YOU HOP, THE BETTER YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING PRIZES. EVERY AUTHOR IS WAITING TO MEET AND INTERACT WITH YOU, SO PLEASE BE SURE TO SHOW EVERY AUTHOR SOME LOVE!

6)  DID I MENTION TO HAVE FUN?  WHOO! HOO!! HERE WE GOOOOOOOOOOOO!

***Authors have full discretion to choose an alternate winner in the event any winner fails to claim their prize(s) within 72 hours of their name being posted or after notification of  win, whichever comes first. Anyone who participates in this blog hop tour is subject to these rules***

AND THE WINNER IS ...

Photo by Michael Marcol

We're thrilled to announce that lucky lady June M. is the winner of a copy of I.O.U. SEX in our "Party 'Til Your Heels Fly Off" contest. 


Our drawing for the winner was completely random, so it was really a surprise that our winner's name turned out to be June -- the name of one of the main characters in I.O.U. SEX! Plus the contest took place in the month of June. What are the chances of that happening?


A bit of trivia. We tossed horseshoes during our blog tour barbeque picnic, and horseshoes are supposed to bring good luck. But that only works if you hang them with the ends pointing upward. That way, they catch and hold any good luck that may be floating by. I guess June's horseshoes did their job! And in case you're wondering, June's favorite picnic food is raw veggies.

Party 'Til Your Heels Fly Off - Mega Author Blog Tour

PICK A RIB!!!

Y'all are invited to a down home Texas barbeque, complete with ribs on the grill, baked beans, potato salad, cole slaw, and watermelon. We might even get crazy and have home-churned peach ice cream for dessert. And, of course, we'll fill a No. 2 washtub with ice and stock it with plenty of beer and Coca-Cola. There'll even be a big jug of sweet tea for the ladies.

For entertainment, we'll toss horseshoes, have water gun fights, and play hide 'n seek among the bluebonnets 'til our heels fly off. Our music will be the wind in the trees and the sweet hum of friendly conversation.

So, douse yourself in insect repellent, put on something washable (there's no way you can eat ribs without messin' up your clothes), and prepare to dig in.


Can't make it to Dallas? Then join a couple of characters in the pages of I.O.U. SEX for barbeque and champagne. They're celebrating their wedding with a finger licking ribs-and-fries feast in the back of a stretch limo. Much more fun than a stuffy reception, don't ya think? Information about ordering the book can be found by clicking on the "Buy IOU Sex" tab above. Now it's available in paperback as well as eBook format.

Giveaway: One lucky visitor to our blog will receive a free download of I.O.U. SEX from Smashwords. Just post a comment below telling us your favorite picnic food and include your email address (in case you win!) and we'll put your name in the pot.

Then, if you're a real party animal, check out the next celebration on the party circuit:

Tricia Schneider's Witch Party

Visit as many blogs as you can. The more you visit, the more chances you have to win prizes. So strap on your party shoes and show a bunch of authors some love.

TOUR RULES:

1)  HAVE FUN!!!

2)  INVITE ALL OF YOUR FRIENDS!!! SPREAD THE WORD!!!

3)  THIS TOUR STARTS:  Monday, June 13, at Midnight (Arizona Time)

      THIS TOUR ENDS: Monday, June 20, at Midnight (Arizona Time)

      Winners will be drawn and posted June 21st! *** 

4)  MEET AND MINGLE WITH ALL THE AUTHORS! EXPERIENCE A NEW PARTY DESTINATION AT EVERY STOP! PARTICIPATE IN EVERY BLOG CONTEST AND BE ENTERED FOR CHANCES TO WIN MULTIPLE PRIZES! EVERY BLOG VISITED IS ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO WIN!!

5)  PARTICIPATION AT ALL BLOGS IS RECOMMENDED, BUT NOT REQUIRED. REMEMBER, THE MORE BLOGS YOU HOP, THE BETTER YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING PRIZES. EVERY AUTHOR IS WAITING TO MEET AND INTERACT WITH YOU, SO PLEASE BE SURE TO SHOW EVERY AUTHOR SOME LOVE!

6)  DID I MENTION TO HAVE FUN?  WHOO! HOO!! HERE WE GOOOOOOOOOOOO!

***Authors have full discretion to choose an alternate winner in the event any winner fails to claim their prize(s) within 72 hours of their name being posted or after notification of  win, whichever comes first. Anyone who participates in this blog hop tour is subject to these rules***

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS (from Sandy Ruth):

1.     What is your favorite way to eat potatoes?

A baked potato with everything on it – cheese, bacon bits, chives, 

butter, sour cream. I shudder to even think of how many calories that would be.

2.  What was the last package that was delivered to your house?

A box from Amazon with a new hot pink cover for my Kindle. I love it!

3.  What is your favorite scent that you love to smell?

Cinnamon.

4.  Do you smoke?

No. I tried it as a young adult, thinking I was “cool.” Thank heavens that phase didn’t last!

5.  Are your parents married or divorced?

Unfortunately, my parents are no longer alive, but they were married for 50+ years. 

FIVE QUESTION FRIDAY (Answers Below)

1. Can you drive a stick shift?

Well, I could the last time I tried! Isn't it like riding a bicycle? Something you never forget?
When I turned 16, my dad decided it was time for me to learn to drive the family car - Chevy with a stick shift on the steering column. He put me in the driver's seat, and my mom and two brothers sat in back. Every time I'd release the clutch, the car would lurch forward and die, and the three in the back seat would burst out laughing. It wasn't long before I was in tears! Finally, Dad drove us home. At my next lesson, it was just Dad and me. I did just fine without the audience!

2. What are two foods you just can't eat?

Celery and turnips. Yuck.

3. Do you buy Girl Scout Cookies? What is your favorite kind?

I'm a staunch supporter of Girl Scout Cookie sellers and buy at least one box every year. I'm a Thin Mints girl.

4. How do you pamper yourself?

Not often enough! The ultimate pampering experience is a massage. Aaaaah. 

5. What is your nickname and how did you get it?

I've had lots of nicknames over the years:
Ruthless - My middle name is Ruth, but when I played Spades during lunch at one of my jobs, the guys started calling me Ruthless.
Sandy Ruth - My husband calls me this as a term of endearment. We're Southern so using two names works for us.

FOLLOW FRIDAY 40 & OVER - BLOG HOP - February 25

The RULES to join in the "Follow Friday 40 and Over" blog hop are very simple:

*Go to Never Growing Old (first blog on the list - http://nevergrowingold.blogspot.com)*Grab the button
*Add your link to the list on the blog site
*Visit as many blogs as you can*Follow the ones you like (and comment to let them know you're following)
Thank you to JAVA for continuing this fun blog hop!