Thursday Thirteen #11: 13 Ways I Know I'm in Arizona

This week my list is 13 ways I know I'm living in Arizona, now. I recently moved here to the Phoenix, Arizona area (in August). A lot of it has to do with the insane heat. I wonder how much things will change as I live here longer...

Happy TT everyone!

Thirteen Things about Michelle B 1. Hot takes on a whole new meaning (116 degrees anyone?) 2. You consider it "cooling off" when it's only 90-100 degrees outside and downright chilly when it gets below 80. 3. Your driver's license doesn't expire until you're a senior citizen (mine expires in 2041). 4. I actually have to wear sunglasses which I have never done regularly before. 5. The TV schedule is so funky...some things are shown according to central time and some things aren't (it depends on the station). 6. Fighting for parking means vying for the one shady spot even if it's the farthest spot from the store. 7. You have to worry about finding scorpions in your classroom. Someone found 2 babies in the room across from me just this week! 8. You need gloves to touch your steering wheel in the summer (even when you put up the sunshade). 9. The crickets are everywhere! 10. You can actually get a table at most restaurants without waiting (or with a very short wait) on a Friday or Saturday in the summer between 5pm and 7pm. 11. If you order deodorant via the mail, they won't leave your package outside because it might melt. 12. You can't leave anything in the car in the summer or it might melt. 13. You love having the 24-hour stores so you can shop in the wee hours since it's cooler then. Links to other Thursday Thirteens!

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The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

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Thursday Thirteen #10: Places I'd Like to Visit

Happy Thursday Thirteen everyone! This marks my tenth TT:) I've traveled quite a bit, but I would definitely love to see more of the world. This week I decided to list 13 places I'd like to visit. Enjoy!

Thirteen Places Michelle B wants to visit 1. All the Hawaiian Islands (at once on a cruise!) One of my dream vacations is to cruise around the Hawaiian Islands stopping at each one for a visit. I've only been to Oahu so far. 2. The Matterhorn-- the one in Switzerland, not the one at Disneyland (I've seen that one). I've been to Switzerland, but I didn't make it to the Matterhorn, so I want to go back! 3. Italy. I've never been and I'd love to tour around the country some day. 4. Stonehenge. I've been fascinated by Stonehenge. I even did a speech on it for my 10th grade communications class! 5. Egypt. I'm fascinated by Ancient Egyptian civilization. My favorite class in college was Intro to Ancient Egyptian Hieroglyphics. I was lucky enough to get to see the King Tut exhibit in Los Angeles when it was touring, but I'd love to go see the Pyramids and other places in person! My biggest worry is my safety because of things going on in the world today. 6. Scotland. There are a couple of reasons I'd love to go to Scotland. It's a beautiful place, and I'd love to meet Tony, one of my online friends that I've known now for over 6 years! 7. England. Yes, I'm listing England separately than Scotland:P I'd love to go see London one day as well Liverpool and other various places to visit friends I have spread throughout England. (And yes, I realize Stonehenge is in England, but there are different reasons for my wanting to visit each, so I decided to list them separately). 8. Ireland is another place I'd love to visit. I've heard such wonderful things about Ireland from friends who've had the chance to visit (other than weather issues from some). 9. Down Under (aka Australia & New Zealand). My entire family (except for me of course) went to Australia and New Zealand when I was a freshman in college with a school group. I felt so left out, but missing 2 weeks of school just wasn't going to work. I'd love to visit both places one day. 10. South Africa. In the 9th grade, we did a mock UN and I was the representative from South Africa. That was the year after Nelson Mandela was set free and so it was quite an interesting time. I also had a pen pal in Capetown growing up. I'd love to visit one day! 11. Machu Picchu in Peru. One of the things I longed to be growing up was an archaeologist/anthropologist. Discovering the mysteries of ancient civilizations sounds like such an intriguing job (though I'm well aware some of the day-to-day dig duties can be quite tedious). I've been fascinated with Machu Picchu for quite a while and would love to explore it! 12. Alaska is another place I'd love to visit (and take photos!) I'm not sure if I'd do it on a cruise or not though. 13. The other 27 US states (not counting Alaska) that I've never had the chance to visit. One of my goals in my life is to visit at least one city in all of the 50 states. Links to other Thursday Thirteens!

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Thursday Thirteen #9: 13 Memories of Cherie

As I mentioned in my earlier post, we discovered today that Cherie's illness was caused by a brain tumor. There was pretty much nothing we could do other than let her go rather than prolong her suffering. Cherie is pretty much all that's on my mind, so here's another Thursday Thirteen tribute to her. I love her so much, and I'll miss her more than words can say!

Thirteen Memories of Michelle B's Cat Cherie 1. Cherie has a brush fetish. She loves to be brushed and if you won't take the time to brush her, she'll do it herself! She totally has brush radar; she can find a brush (human or kitty) anywhere you hide it. She even jumps on the bathroom counter just to rub on my hair brush. 2. Our dog, Bijou, used to beg to lick any dish once we finished eating. After we lost Bijou, Cherie took over the plate-licking duties. Now, she even tries to get at it before you finish eating (just like Bijou did!) 3. Cherie loves to eat Cheetos, potato chips, and popcorn. I'll never be able to eat any of those things without thinking of her! 4. She loves to lick things (people included)! She's the only cat I've known that loves to lick people. She even licks the catnip pillow we bought her one Christmas and it's loud enough to hear across the room. 5. She always tries to sit on any papers I'm working on (especially when I'm grading or doing lesson plans)! 6. She loves to sit with my mom and do puzzles. She brings my mom luck just by sitting with her. 7. She found a way to let herself into my bedroom at my parents house and she always busts in during the wee hours of the morning. She even busted in last weekend when she wasn't doing too well and hopped on the bed to curl up next to me. 8. She loves to sleep next to me on my bed when I'm at my parents house. In fact, sometimes, she gets right in my face and starts purring to get attention. 9. At Christmas, she loves trying to climb the Christmas tree (even without her front claws). I always say she thinks we brought a tree in the house just for her! 10. I remember the day I first met Cherie. We went to the shelter to adopt a cat and my mom and sister were drawn to the kittens, but I was drawn to Cherie. She was older (about 2 years old), but so sweet. When my mom went back to get one of the kittens a couple days later, they were all claimed, so she adopted Cherie instead. I'm so glad it worked out that way because my life just wouldn't be the same if Cherie hadn't been a part of it! 11. She gets so hyper sometimes. She'll run up and down the halls and when she gets really adventurous, she runs into the fireplace (behind the screen!) 12. If she thinks you're paying too much attention to anything other than her (like the computer!) she'll move right in front of it so she becomes the center of attention. 13. I'll miss cuddling with her the most. Of all the cats, she's the one who loves to sit on your lap or next to you and just cuddle and purr. Links to other Thursday Thirteens!




Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants



Update on Cherie

Thank you all so much for your thoughts and prayers for Cherie.

I drove back to San Diego last weekend to see her along with my family. She's been in and out of the hospital because she wouldn't eat, but in some ways she was still the same old Cherie.

Yesterday my parents took her to a specialist. The specialist said she either had a fungal infection or a brain tumor.

We found out today that she tested negative for the fungal infection. She's been so sick and not eating, so we've decided that it's best to let her go rather than hang on and watch her suffer.

It's really hard for me to even type this through my tears. I have so many wonderful memories of Cherie through the 10 years we had her. I just can't believe she won't be there the next time I go back to San Diego.

If I can bring myself to do it, I'm going to do another Thursday Thirteen about her this week just with memories of her. I've been a bit of a mess this last week and a half since she's been sick, so I may not get around to it.

Thanks again to everyone for the thoughts and prayers.