I've Been Tagged by Lady Java for Have You Ever?

What better time to have a "Have You Ever Tag" to usher in the new year. Thanks Lady Java for tagging me for this one:)

So here we go!!!

1. Have you ever been on TV?
Yes, when I was at an Cleveland Indians game with my mom and my best friend and sisters and brother we held up a large PEANUTS sign that said "Charlie Brown says Go Indians! It was about 4-5 feet long and about 3 feet high. It had several of the PEANUTS characters on it and we just put a strip of writing across the top.

2. Have you ever sung in public?
Yes, a long time ago when Pastor Lanpher organized a youth choir and convinced my mom that he wanted me to join in even if I couldn't carry a tune. I sang the alto part and enjoyed it, but don't know if he regretted his decision to encourage me to join or not. I really do sing off key and don't even know it. I did enjoy making a "joyful noise" to the Lord and sang out anyway. I think I was in Junior High school at the time. My mom warned him!

3. Have you ever dyed your hair blond?
Never.

4. Have you ever eaten frogs' legs?
No. I did almost try pig ears though at Lola's. It was listed under appetizers. I just thought it would be fun to taste them but I couldn't convince anyone to order them so I could just try a little one. (Has anyone tasted them?)

5. Have you ever received a present that you really hated?
Oh yeah, I can think of several, but probably the one I really hated most was a dress that I got from Christmas when I was little. I even let the person know right then and there. I was just being honest, hadn't learned to be tactful and still have some trouble with that. See my earlier post, "Warning, Tip For Parents."

6. Have you ever walked into a lamp post?
A lamp post, no, but I have walked into low tree branches and door jams quite often.

7. Have you ever cooked a meal by yourself for more than 15 people?
Does ordering pizza count? If not, then I have to say no and I seriously doubt I ever will.

8. Have you ever fallen or stumbled in front of others?
Yes, twice fairly recently even. Once when I was crossing the street to catch the bus, I fell right in the street while running for the bus. My umbrella tripped me. My feet were running left in the direction of the bus, but I was looking right for oncoming cars. Fortunately, I fell right in the middle of the street in the turn lane! Then I ran in front of the bus and it almost hit me because the driver didn't see me, but I made it even without any broken bones! (You can read about all the details at "Bus Adventure."

Another time I was going outside for lunch and was walking along reading a book, missed a step coming out of our building and sort of ran along to try to keep my balance and avoid falling which I was successful in doing, but not before Leaking in my pants in the process from the extra exertion. Of course people were all over the place. but no one said anything.

9. Have you ever done volunteer work?
Yes, quite a bit--it's so much fun and very rewarding and satisfying! My first volunteer work was helping kids do crafts in "Hobby Club" that our church had on Saturday mornings as an outreach for the neighborhood children. At that time we had a Pastor's wife that was really gifted in the are of making crafts, often useful things, out of . . . well, I guess junk. Stuff like cans, OJ containers, yarn, rocks, wallpaper samples, carpet samples, just about anything.

Then, I started helping in Vacation Bible School ("VBS") and the first time I ever taught was a first grade VBS class. I remember sewing some headbands to stick colored paper feathers in for them when they said their verses.

I liked teaching and started teaching a 3rd grade boys' class. I also played the piano for children's church. I've taught grades 3-12 for Sunday School, started a group called Whirlybirds for grades 4-6, directed the youth group for about 15 years with grades 5-12 and even while at Malone College, I taught a Bible Study for a few Jr. High girls.

I used vacation time to volunteer as a camp counselor at Beulah Beach for a couple weeks during summers before I got married. I started off with high schoolers but also did Jr. High and 10 and 11 yr. olds too. This was very fun, but very exhausting!

When the Billy Graham Crusade came to Cleveland, (I think it was in the 70s or 80s, I'm sure exactly when), I took some vacation time to volunteer to type the cards that were sent to area churches for follow-up on new believers. I wound up heading up that department and working until 4 a.m. This was a fun experience and I remember they had a LOT of food brought in for us to help us stay awake and energized.

I was one of the first who worked in the AWANA club ministry at church when it was first started. I was the secretary for all the groups. Later, I became a director for 3rd & 4th grade girls and boys, a leader for 5th & 6th grade boys, but my favorite position was Commander/Secretary. When we changed churches, I really missed AWANA so helped in Pioneer Girls for a couple years, it just wasn't as good though.

I joined the puppet team when Cindy started one at the Brooklyn Christian & Missionary Alliance Church and now currently do it with my husband at Parma Heights Baptist Church ("PHBC"). Most recently Gerard and I do VBS and Sports Camp for a couple weeks during the summer at PHBC. I teach the 5th grade boys Sunday School class.

Once I retire, I look forward to volunteering at a local animal shelter and perhaps the Cleveland Zoo in addition to church activities.

Sorry this is so long, but I hope you found some at least interesting. Okay now that I've done this, I am tagging....

Abelle at Only In Silence
Anne at Small Town Mommy
Carol at Carol's Thoughtful Spot
Tashabud at Tasha's Take
Beaded Tail
Mike at Rambling Stuff

Have fun and pass this along to four or five more. Any questions about any of my answers?