A Nice Place In The Sun

If I was a Handy woman, I would not need a Handyman. Nope, I would be fine and dandy Annie- And my slogan would read, "No job too large or too small- Handy Dandy Annie will conquer them all." That is my new dream folks...

Because after I climbed over my cat and out of my bed this morning...my bedroom door fell off the hedges, trapped my foot, and laid against me like a bad dancer. I tried to pry the piece of junk off my foot, but I was fighting a losing battle- I felt like the cat wrapped in the arms of the cartoon skunk Pepe Le Pew. Then, after the door was finished swinging me around in romantic bless, it tossed me to the floor like a piece of discarded linen.

Consequently, I forgot it was Tuesday, which means I was supposed to have posted Tuesday’s Question this morning. I really did forget… I’m not kidding...just ask Eric at SpeedcatHollydalePage, because I left evidence in his comments shortly after I awoke to my drama.

However, I was going to postpone Tuesday’s Question anyway because my entire landing page has posts about Tuesday’s Question. For example, there’s the post on The Quiz Whiz Award, then the post with the hilarious comments to Tuesday’s Question, which by the way, I published on Thursday- (do not ask)

Hence, it might be a good idea to get back on track and post the next Tuesday’s Question next Tuesday. I’m sorry you’re reading about the postponement so late in the afternoon.

I’ve been meaning to write you about it all morning, but as you now know, it was an impossibility at the time. Although, it would not have been a problem for a Handy Woman- that door would not have danced around with her all day, no sirree.

But, I'm not a handy woman and I've been working on a new line up of weekly posts, so I need to post a blog calendar. That way, I'll know the day of the week, and you can see what's coming next...from this oh so predictable writer/blogger...

Anyway, I have to go now so that I can write what you will read tomorrow. I have a new weekly post for us to do on Wednesdays...unless the roof caves in...

Oh, and don't forget to vote for me for Humor Blogger of the year over at HumorBloggers.com before they realize A Nice Place In The Sun has been nominated.

Here's the direct link, you do not have to be a member to vote...Thank you a million times.

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Sorry guys, but this is my favorite scene from As Good As It Gets starring Jack Nicholson, Helen Hunt, Greg Kinnear, Cuba Gooding Jr., Skeet Ulrich, and Shirley Knight. The 1997 film was directed by James L.Brooks who co-wrote the screenplay with Mark Andrus, who wrote the story. Laura Ziskin produced the picture.

If you missed this all star cast in this fabulous film, rent it, because this is not the only funny scene. In addition the actors do justice to a wonderfully written screenplay full of characters you will love from the opening scene.

The soundtrack is good too.

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This weeks Tuesday's Question asked, What Was Your Most Embarrassing Fashion Memory? Which meant to give an account of a time when you left the house feeling out of place or like something wasn't quite right.

Or to recount what you wore in high school, junior High or some other decade. You know, those times when you left home with other things on your mind beside what you were wearing... Well...my readers did a wonderful job of remembering their horrifying moments and they were kind of enough to share them with us. Thank goodness because they left the funniest replies I've read in some time.

Lately, I've been posting the answers/comments to Tuesday's Question on the same day that I posted the question. Because I'm afraid the search engines might think I'm posting the same post if I write the question one day and the answers the next with the same title. But I think it's funnier when you read the answers right after you read the question. In addition, you can read the comments all at once, rather than having to come back and read the comments throughout the day.

In any event, I decided to write another title and post the last Tuesday's Question's comments today. Then, I can ask you in a poll which way you like the best, or which way you think I should publish Tuesday's Question. I will put the poll up before I post the next question.

Oh, and by the way, the handsome fellow in the image is Eric from The SpeedcatHollydalePage. I used his picture on another Tuesday's Question post entitled How would we know You? in May of this year and he's so funny I couldn't resist using it again...I hope he doesn't sue me...

Anyway, before he does, I thought this picture would work perfectly for this post, especially since I'm celebrating Tuesday's Questions star bloggers this week, and Speedy is a Quiz Whiz badge recipient.

Alright, my lawyers have just informed me that I better hurry before he sees this post.

Here are your answers to this past Tuesday's Question,
What Was Your Most Embarrassing Fashion Memory?

The answers started with my nightmare:

It was raining, so I ran to my car and jumped inside. I could see my neighbor from inside the car, waving to me, but the rain was so loud I couldn't hear him, only see his mouth moving as he stood in his doorway.

I wondered what he was trying to say. After all, I was running with a purse on top of my head in the pouring rain. Wasn't it obvious I couldn't hear him?

When I sat inside my car I was relieved to get out of the rain, except I was worried about keeping my eyes open while driving down the road. I had been working hard lately, trying to save money for this and that. Such as my cat Simon’s root canal and the outrageous cost of his therapy.

Every time something unexpected happens in my life, it threatens the wind in my sail, and throws my life as well as my hormones overboard. I'm afraid my ship will wreck before my dream ship has had time to dock. I’ll been o.k. though, well, I'll manage, but yesterday was one of those days when my "troubles looked as though they were here to stay," to quote, a Beatles song.

Hence, by the time I walked inside the grocery store, I was in a daze. I kept staring those long stares that never end, you know the long ones into thin air? When your eyes focus on a spot and you can’t move them? Then you yawn the long yawn that stretches your mouth open so wide a semi truck could plow over your tongue.

And I keep yawning the annoying yawn on the coffee isle of all places. I stood staring at the coffee on the shelf for I'm not sure how long, when at last someone woke me. I felt a hand lightly touch my shoulder and say, “Are you o.k. Miss? “

“What? Oh, I’m sorry. Yes, yes, I’m alright; why do you ask?” I said. Instead of answering with an “I’m sorry, I’ve just been tired lately." Because I thought that answer might make me sound delusional or on drugs.

I thought the stranger may go away but he keep looking at me as if I had recently entered the Earth’s atmosphere and decided to have a look around. I said, “I’m fine, sir," again thinking he would go about his business, but he continued his gaze. I could see his eyes look down my shirt, and then move back to my face, as if he was looking me over. It was creepy, so I said something like, "O.k., good day then” and scurried out of there to get my milk.

Then after I got my milk, I was shocked to discover another starer in the grocery line. It was weird; I mean I could understand why someone may be concerned about why I was staring into space, but that was one person, now another person was staring at me. They weren't "staring into space" like I had the decency to do, they were staring at people. I hate it when people stare at you, because you don't know whether you should stare back, wave, look quickly the other way or what, since you don't want to appear too threatening or too friendly.

Anyway to sum up this brief excerpt, the cashier stared at me too, in fact, she looked as if she took pity on me and the guy that bagged my groceries smiled sweetly and said, "Hang in there. We all have bad days." I have never wanted to get out of a place so fast in my life, it was like living in a bad episode of the Twilight Zone.

On the way home my blood ran cold at the thought of so many people finding me so interesting all of a sudden. After all, what was the big deal about staring into space in the grocery store? I mean we've all done it, right? Plus, most of the people who were staring at me didn't witness me staring at the shelves on the vegetable aisle anyway.

When I finally returned home and brought my groceries in the house, I called to my son to come and carry the heavy bags for me, but when he saw me he looked startled- then he started laughing. I said, "What is it? Everyone keeps looking at me like I have egg on my face. What in the world is it son? You tell me right now."

He playfully took me by the hand and brought me before the bathroom mirror and everything fell into place. Although I was humiliated by what I saw: My blouse was on inside out, I had eye make-up on one eye and not the other, or better yet, I had make up on one side of my face and not the other and I wore a different earring in each ear.

That was my most embarrassing fashion memory.

What is yours?

Grace from Broadway Matron

You know I don't have one. I can look at some old pics and laugh at the make-up we wore back then but I looked just like everyone else, so no harm, no foul.

I once left the house without my skirt but it was winter and I had a long coat on so no one knew but me - I got all the way into the subway when I realized that the draft I was feeling was my lack of skirt! I was wearing a body suit and somehow in my rush to get dressed I grabbed my coat before my skirt. (I had a studio apartment and only one closet so coats and clothes were all in the same closet, which happened to be in the entry hall).

I would never wear any of the clothes I wore when I was young, not because they were inappropriate, they were right for the times, but I would never even fit into them today. Let's face it a chubby 62 year old woman should not wear hot pants! (But I have a pic of me at 25 in hot pants - ooh-la-la I looked good!)

November 13, 2008 7:45 PM
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Kim at Purplefrogcat


I hate it when i decide to wear a skirt it happens to windy as hell that day...sometimes i still don`t realize that i put on a black bra then i white t-shirt..What the hell was i thinking?not thinking at all cause i am trying to rush out of the house chasing the kids..

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Don't worry, next up is a comment from the hilarious Daisy, The Curly Cat...

From Daisy's Mom:
My biggest fashion secret is that my cat dresses better than me. And has more outfits. Oh dear!

November 14, 2008 5:26 AM

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Next is from the fun and always funny Maunie at Maunie's World

On my birthday, a black day indeed,
I wore a white leather skirt...mini
mini, a pair of white boots, a white hat perched on my head...and a white jacket...Of course, I had on a black tee.

You have to forgive me though, it was the big three "o"

I thought I looked amazing...hubby was in New York and I felt sorry for myself so I grabbed two girlfriends and off we went...now
looking at the picture I look like
a "hooker out of a job"

I do have to say I got hit on a lot...even though we just went out to eat and to a jazz bar...

well what do I win honey for exposing myself like this...yeah, yeah, all in good fun but I bet you can see that image for a long time...

November 14, 2008 6:22 AM

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Then my dear friend Sandee at Comedy Plus said,

I don't have a story either. There are some styles in the past that I cringe at, like polyester. But I really don't have a horror story.

I loved your shirt on inside out and half makeup and half not. Just goes to show you that you just have to take the time to look at yourself before leaving the house.

Have a great day and weekend sweetie. Big hug and lotsa lovies. :)

November 14, 2008 8:33 AM

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Then Dan from Using Humor bravely recounted his high school garments...

In High School For some reason, known to no one, I purchased, and wore, a bright yellow pair of hip hugger bell bottom pants and a matching yellow silky shirt, and wore them with a pair of four inch platform shoes. Even I realized I looked like a Canary the second and last time I wore the outfit.

November 14, 2008 8:44 AM

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And get ready to laugh yourself sill when you read this one from Sue at SanityonEdge

Annie, maybe this is not really a fashion embarrassment, but here it is. My Hubby and I were invited to a get together with some of his friends at work. There were going to be people we did not know there so we wanted to make an impression (stupid,stupid stupid) We smeared instant tan stuff all over our bodies, and because we could not see a difference we smeared more, and then smeared more. By the time it came for us to leave we both looked like pumpkins! Of course I am sure we looked as stupid as we felt. I will never ever do that again!

November 14, 2008 9:35 AM

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Then Maunie from Maunie James had a delayed reaction to my fashion nightmare...(laughing)

Read this...

errr ummm how do you put your make-up on half your face? You are scaring me honey...I have to confess once when I was helping out a friend over at head-start I had a couple of brownies with hash added and none of us knew...I was going to a wake and three times I ran upstairs to put on my make-up...when I came down the last time I scared the kids...they actually screamed and so I washed my face...I managed to put it on three times but never half a face...hummm

November 14, 2008 2:07 PM

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And just as I was beginning to recover from laughing at Maunie, here comes Margaret at Nanny Goats In Panties

The first thing I'm reminded of was about 1988. I was about to walk out of the bathroom at work and a coworker (bless her heart) stopped me because the back of my skirt was all stuffed into my pantyhose. If I were more vain, I would have at least checked my ass to make sure there was nothing funny going on back there - sheesh!

November 14, 2008 4:27 PM

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And...Jackie from The Painted Veil keep the mood going...Thank you Jackie...I can't believe it happened to you too~

Oh Annie...you have me laughing so hard.

I don't know if I can answer. but, I have done the same thing with the shirt. But, not the make up too!!

Oh my I can't even think of an answer now...you blew me away!!:-))

November 14, 2008 6:17 PM

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Then Abelle at Only In Silence kept the laughing going...we were on a roll...

I was and still am not so much into fashion. But one thing that I felt really embarrassed recently was when I was on the way to pick up Jeff from school.

The school was about 300meters away from where we live, and since we don't have a car, I took a jeepney (a public transport here in the Philippines) and from the jeepney stop, a 30-meter walk to the school. While I was walking, I felt something went loose inside my shirt. And seconds later, I came to realize that it was no other than - my bra!

I always wear my hair in pony tails. The good thing here is I have long hair which goes down to the middle of my back. So while walking a bit faster now, I 'un-pony tailed' my hair and let it loose so that people behind me won't notice what just happened.

The second I entered the gate of the school, I immediately looked for the girls' room, which by then was filled with some high schools and grade school girls. They looked at me as if their eyes were saying, 'What is this old lady doing in here?'. You know, it's not usual that parents go in there. I directly went in a cubicle, hooked my bra that has just decided to unhook itself, then went out and waited for Jeff near the gate.

That's it. Not so much of a fashion story, but it can pass as a horror story ;o)

November 15, 2008 12:44 AM

And Abelle, I think your story qualifies as both a fashion and a horror story, like mine...

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And last, but certainly not least, The Muse at A Diva's Hammer...Wielded By The Muse
wrote the kindest comment. Her words truthfully made my day, as well as crystallized the effort involved in putting this post together. Because sometimes you're not sure if you're making a difference, until people are thoughtful enough to write extraordinary kindnesses.

Thank you for making my day, The Muse, and I'm glad we made you smile.

Here's her comment:

LOL I loved this post!...
On a day that has been ALL work, and seriously so, you have given me the opportunity to simply Enjoy life...LOL! Thank you!

November 15, 2008 10:29 A

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Thanks to every single one of you for your hilariously fun comments and for making Tuesday's Question a fun, open and thoughtful post every week. You're simply the coolest people I know...(don't tell the people I know who don't blog I wrote that. )

This weeks Saturday Movie moment will be posted tomorrow, due to the celebration of Tuesday's Question and the introduction of the Quiz Whiz Badges. Also, since I have so many posts published in relation to Tuesday's Question I will put the original question for this post in draft, particularly since it's the same post with your comments included.

And congrats to the following blogger's who answered this question who are now recipients of the Quiz Whiz Badge: Sandee at Comedy Plus, Grace at Broadway Matron, Kim at Purplefrogcat, Daisy at Daisy The Curly Cat, Maunie at Maunie's World,
Sue or Ettarose at Sanity on Edge, Jackie at The Painted Veil, Abelle at Only In Silence...and for the rest of you, come back you're times a comin.'

Thanks everybody and do me a favor and have a fun, fun, fun weekend~

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Earlier today, I posted a lie. I told you that I lost Tuesday's Question under the mountain of work devouring my desk. When the truth is I was having trouble with the code to the badge of honor I made for the stars of Tuesday's Question. I'm sorry I lied to you. I hope you will forgive me, but it was sort of like a surprise party lie...you know a love lie.

Anyway, some of these blogging stars or quiz whizzes have followed Tuesday's Question from its infancy and I've been looking for a way to honor them ever since...well... forever...

The fact that these bloggers have answered almost every question is not the only reason I've elected to call them quiz whizzes (and yes, quiz does mean question-plus quizzical wouldn't fit) and bestowed them with Tuesday's Questions badge of honor.

It is because honor comes from grace and bloggers who answer questions about themselves, their families and their experiences are the most graceful, honest, giving, funny, and open people I've ever had the pleasure to know.

Every week I am amazed by the charm and sense of fun they bring to the funny questions and the insight, compassion, and smarts they bring to the thoughtful ones.

Therefore, in appreciation for letting us all into your hearts and minds every week and for your loyal friendship to all of us, I bestow the I'm a Quiz Whiz badge onto the following bloggers. However, I suppose I better tell you about the Quiz Whiz Code of honorable smarts and hearty laughs first.

The Quiz Whiz Code of Honorable Smarts and Hearty laughs: A Blogger who answers a question with insight, compassion, kindness, gratitude, charm, and a sense of humor represents the code of honorable smarts and hearty laughter.

In addition, these bloggers teach us something by writing about their experiences, send us rushing to the bathroom due to their sense of humor, you know... (before we pee in our pants) or make us wonder if our face will get stuck in a smile...Oh, I guess that wouldn't be good...because we would look like a clown, especially if you wear lipstick.

What I meant to say is that it helps if a bloggers answer makes your face hurt from laughing too much...well maybe that's not good either... But, if their writing teaches us something or makes us smile through the day, then it is worth the effort they made to answer Tuesday's Question, and their character definitely falls under the Ouiz Whiz Code Of Honorable Smarts and Hearty laughs.

Recipients of the I'm a Quiz Whiz badge who post the badge on their sidebar with its official seal of approval reserve the right to pass the badge along to their readers who pass the code of honorable smarts and hearty laughs when they answer a question.

For example, if you've asked a question in a post and one of your readers gives an outstanding answer, that is, an answer that sounds like it passes the Quiz Whiz Code Of Honorable Smarts and hearty laughs, feel free to pass it along with a link back to your post.

But, please don't forget to link it back to this post as well, so that others will know where the badge originated and can become acquainted with Tuesday's Question in general. Plus, they can get to know the original recipients of Tuesday's Question's Quiz Whiz Badge and the Quiz Whiz Code Of Honorable Smarts and hearty laughs.

I have a code to post the badge in your sidebar that does have a link back to A Nice Place In The Sun, however if you prefer to save the image and just post it in your sidebar that is O.K. too.

After today I will give out a Quiz Whiz badge to those of you who have answered the most Tuesday's Questions every month. For the bloggers who have already received a Quiz Whiz badge, you can pick one of two prizes. I will mention and link to a post on your blog so that you will receive two links at the end of the month or you can pick the next Tuesday's Question.

And speaking of Tuesday's Question, I will post this weeks question tomorrow (Thurs.) I promise I will, no more surprises, well... not this week anyway. Moving along, (because the drum roll is starting without me...) Here's...

the first Tuesday's Question Quiz Whiz Badge Recipients:


Sandee at Comedy Plus
Dawn at Twisted Sister
Shinade at The Painted Veil
Eric or Speedy at Speedcat Hollydale Page
Maunie at Maunie's World
Bud at WTIT Tape Radio Blog
Abelle at Only In Silence...
Merrill at The Daily Egg
Tish at Crazy Working Mom
Anna at Life Just Keeps Getting Weirder
Robert at Black Tie And Sneakers
Grace at Broadway Matron
Margaret at Eyespi20.com
Ferd at The Best Parts
Daisy at Daisy The Curly Cat
Kim at Purplefrogcat
Mimi at MimiWrites
Paula at Paula's Playground
Aussie at Little Aussie Cynic
Jennifer at Down River Drivel
Rachel at MrsMouthy.com
Sue at Farvel Cargo
Ettarose at Sanity on Edge
Mushy at Mushys Moochings
Karen at Karen and Gerard Zemek
Babs at The Beetle Blog.com
Misty at Misty's Musings
FeeFiFoto Blog
Robin at Robin's Woods
Henson at Henson's Hell
Arv at Thoughts on a wall
Chelle at It Might Be Love
Soge shirt guy at Sogeshirts.com
Flowers on a Friday.com
Lauren at Irritable Eater
Sassymind at My Sassy Mind
Chica at Lady Sarcasm
Johnny at Past Expiry
Karen at My Opinion Counts
Sharon at A Bookworm's Journey
Whimsy Gal at My Whimsy World
Winston at Eat Your Maths
Marja at Dutchcorner
Christy at Christy's Coffee Break
Shameless at The Shameless Lions Writing Circle
Janice at In My Heart Forever
Jos at NoDirectOn (not: No Direction)
Patios at Whee All The Way Home

Mel at Attitude, The Ultimate Power


If I've missed anyone please accept my sincere apology. I went through every archived Tuesday's Question, so my eyes were getting tired and the words were beginning to dance on the page. So if you know you answered Tuesday's Question often in the past year and you are not listed please let me know.

Congratulations to all of you and remember to pass along the Quiz Whiz Badge to your readers who qualify under the Quiz Whiz Code of Honorable Smarts and Hearty Laughs. Have fun and remember to return this Thursday for this weeks Tuesday Question.

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My work is piling up~ But, I wanted you to know that I did not forget about Tuesday's Question. I've been looking for it in this pile of slush rubbish all morning...and I will find it- I promise. Also, somewhere under this paper mountain is a surprise that I've wanted to share with you for sometime.

Hence, I'm hoping you will humor me and can come back shortly....O.k.?

Update: "Shortly" turned into in the AM due to technical difficulties. Look for a Tuesday's Question Surprise bright and early tomorrow, if not before. Thank you~

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