A break from our regularly scheduled programming...

I've been tagged for my first MEME by Jameel of The Muqata (muqata.blogspot.com). Thanks! :)

The MEME of A through Z.
Who is Scraps, the Patchwork Girl? Find about a bit more via this A-Z MEME. Happy reading, folks!

Accent: English--Nondescript. I don't sound like a New Yorker, I don't sound like a hick. Somewhere in between, I suppose. Hebrew--American, unfortunately. A couple of decent Israeli teachers for Ivrit classes have given me the ability to fake the Israeli accent halfway decently, but I can't say much that's complicated or I give myself away.
Booze: Dislike most of it. I've been known to indulge in an occasional glass of Muscato d'Asti, though.
Chore I Hate: Cleaning my room wins hands-down. It looks like it was just hit by a tornado...or worse.
Dogs/Cats: I like them, but I don't have the time or money to invest in a pet. I like other people's pets, though. :-)
Essential Electronics: I WANT A LAPTOP WITH WIRELESS. BADLY.
Favorite Perfume/Cologne: Somewhat partial to several light fragrances from Bath and Body Works (yeah, I know, I'm such a girl). Also, when I was younger I really liked Sunflowers by Elizabeth Arden.
Gold/Silver: Depends on the outfit, honestly. I think I'm marginally more partial to silver, but I like to wear gold with things that match it.
Hometown: Originally from "Montana", now elsewhere (thank G-d). But, as always, "libi ba'mizrach..."
Insomnia: I used to think that I was the reigning queen, but I'm since met people who beat me hands-down. I think I've been demoted to Court Jester.
Job Title: Depends whom you ask. Assistant/secretary/paper-shuffler/etc.
Kids: Gotta get married first....
Living Arrangements: Share an apartment with friends.
Most Admired Trait: Ability to understand people
Number of sexual partners: Dude, this MEME was clearly not written with frum people in mind... None, thank you very much. Not that it's any of anyone's business.
Overnight Hospital Stays: I'm pretty sure I've never stayed overnight in a hospital, except when accompanying someone else, bli ayin hara. But I've been admitted for many shorter, daytime stays.
Phobia: Can't think of any. I used to be scared of the dark, does that count?
Quote: "Let's make their heads implode! It will be so much fun to watch!"
Religion: Jewish. Don't put me in a box, though.
Siblings: Yes. Thankfully, none that know that I have a blog, and if I have my way about it, they will remain forever in the dark.
Time I usually wake up: As early as I have to, and/or as late as I can get away with. Usually sometime between 7:00-7:30 AM.
Unusual Talent: Um...I can wiggle my ears?
Vegetable I refuse to eat: Avocado. I can't stand it. Okra is also nasty.
Worst Habit: Toss-up between procrastination and emotional self-torture. Procrastination might lose.
X-Rays: I've had a few, in my time. I even got to keep the ones I got in Israel.
Yummy Foods I make: Spinach-cheese kugel. Yay for milchigs Shabbos!
Zodiac Sign: Classified

I think I'm gonna tag S.J., flor, and sabra. (Sorry, guys, but I'm internet-impaired and can't figure out how to do links.) Thanks again for tagging me, Jameel!

From a distance, there is harmony...

...and from close up, there is NOT.

Thank G-d Pesach only lasts for a week. If I had to deal with any more family-togetherness, in freaking MONTANA (read: with no viable means of contact with the outside world) for more than two weeks, I'd lose my mind. Very nearly have, but long solitary walks helped keep me somewhat sane.

I don't mind the Sibs so much; we get along pretty well most of the time, though we still know how to push each others' buttons when we want to. Nor, as I have explained, do I have much against Pa. It's mostly Ma, as usual. Ein chadash tachat ha-shemesh. Somehow, when I'm around her, I can never quite do anything right, up to and including keeping my temper in check. I don't generally outright argue, but I'll plead guilty to utilizing unpleasant facial expressions/nonverbal noises and muttering under my breath. I know, I know, not good, and I should be trying not to, kibud av v'em and all that...and I do try. I just don't succeed.

Somehow, I just can't put my finger on what it is about my mother that just gets to me. Partly it's the constant indirect criticism that does it (who wouldn't be driven crazy by that?), but even when she lays off a bit, something about being around her--especially for longer amounts of time--just seriously bothers me. And the fact that I'm seriously bothered by being around my own mother seriously bothers me. What kind of horrible daughter am I, that I can't abide being around my own mother?! So now, of course, aside from being irked by being in my mother's presence, I now have a guilt trip brought on by yours truly about it as well.

Still, it could have been far, far worse. So I'm going to shut up now and just thank G-d that I don't live at home.

Safety net

Did you ever have that one person that was your "safety net"? The one that, no matter how hard the fall, you knew s/he'd always catch you, and you'd do the same for him/her?

What do you do when your safety net gets pulled out from under you? How do you keep from falling?