Happy New Year!!

Hope your new year is filled with sun, fun, employment, health, and of course....

HAPPINESS!!!

STILL snowing!!! ARGH!

As you can see in the pictures (taken at 5:00pm), it's still snowing. We've gotten between 14-16 inches so far, with another 2-4" to come. That's my hand against the snow - I have an 8" span!!

Three hours later......

....yup, only THREE HOURS later....and it's still coming down! Compare this to the previous picture...

sigh.

Yup....it's still SNOWING!!

This is out the back door exactly 13 hours after my last post....picture taken at 10:20 am.

And it's still snowing....

Not going NOWHERE today.

SNOW!

"They" are predicting anywhere from 8 to 20 inches of snow for the DC area by Sunday morning. It was supposed to start at Midnight tonight (Friday)...

It's 9:20pm and I just looked out side.

It's snowing.

It's December, and it's trying to snow.

So. The job is going well. I really like the people - my office mate is super nice, and my boss(es) are very personable, interesting, and easy to get along with. It's good to be employed again - though I'll be a bit more happy once I really get into working on things. I know, I know - it takes time. Don't worry, I'll be patient!!

Not feeling all that well today. Started this past Thursday I think, and it's building into a nasty cold thing...hopefully NOT any kind of a flu!! I didn't get a flu shot - never have in the past, and I went through a rather vicious flu back in June, so hopefully this is just a small 24-thingy....even though it's been more than 24 hours.

I've been able to keep up to date with my family since the funeral - that's one thing that's been a good outcome. Brother S and I have really started to firm up a friendship. It's really nice. And keeping track of my nephews via blogs and such has been way cool. I'm proud of S. and K. - they're really doing well for having not had the easiest of times over the past few years. And C. is gonna be a dad again! That'll be the SECOND grand-nephew/niece for me!! I feel old. But it's cool.

Oh! And I'm getting another tattoo!! In about 2 weeks I'll be getting a small tattoo on my left wrist - a ginkgo leaf - in remembrance of my dad. I'll post a picture!

So...not too much else...I'll be starting up Voice Over lessons sometime after the New Year - been told I have a lot of potential, and it'd be a super way to make extra money....which ties into:

OH! #2 - I've made a vow. I am going to be debt free (barring unforeseen circumstances, and not counting mortgages) by my 50th birthday. That's not TOO far away, so I've got a definite challenge, but I think with focus and determination I can do this. Hence the 2nd way to make income. I'll keep ya up to date.

Cheers.

EMPLOYMENT!!!

YES! It's true!! I am now gainfully employed again!! Woo hoo!! Exactly 5 months after I got laid off, I am now employed as a Technical Writer!!

YAY me!! And yay for paychecks to come!! Hubby and I were just getting to the point where things were starting to really hurt financially. Granted, I don't get my first paycheck for another 2 weeks, but at least I know it's coming.

So. It's been a challenging 5 months....laid off on 6/9 - sending out tons of resumes. Dad getting sick early in August, then passing on 9/9 - I miss you Daddy. And now I've started a new job - on 11/9. Hopefully this means that the troubles of 2009 will NOT overflow into 2010.

Here's hopin'!!

Friends

I have a good relationship with my hubby - I love him more every day. But.

He has his hobbies - music, graphic design. I can't seem to get into my own hobbies too much (I like to bead), except for reading and watching TV. So these days, while I'm just WAITING for a start date on my job, I find myself with alot of time on my hands - and no money to really do anything. I know, the Smithsonian museums are free, but getting the motivation to go downtown on my own is hard. 'Specially when checking out new museums is something hubby and I would like to do together.

Like tonight. He had to leave at 4:30 for his music event and won't be back till late...so I'm sitting all alone with the dog. This happened this past Friday too. Actually, Friday made me realize that I DON'T have any "local" friends (I've got some very good long-distance friends). No one to just call up and say "hey, wannna go grab some dinner?" or "wanna go wander a museum?" or just grab a cuppa with. I love to play board games, but hubby isn't into that too much. I tried to start up a game night with the couple next door - they're quite nice. But I guess either hubbs and I are a bit too different, or the age difference (they're younger) made it less appealing.

I really hate being so very lonely when I'm in such a good marriage. It just feels so wrong. But where the hell is a 40-something woman supposed to meet friends? I don't go to bars unless I'm with my hubby. I walk the dog. I like getting mani/pedis but since I'm basically unemployed that isn't feasible at the moment. Jeeze, I've even been skulking around Craigslist....

So - how do YOU think I should search for friends?

My Father

I lost my dad this year. Just last month in fact. He died on 9-9-9. He was only 79, trying really hard to make it to 80. He often used to "threaten" that he was going to live to 100, just to "drive you crazy". I would love to be driven crazy right now.

Who was my father? He was a man of dignity, a man of deep knowledge and curiosity. He was always learning something new. He was a marvelous gardener - his love of nature and plants and animals was part of his gentle nature. He was generous, funny, loving in his own way. He was one of the most intelligent men I knew - but never proud, never boasting - always humble. He loved to hug. He loved old movies, Bullwinkle the Moose, and admired Abraham Lincoln. He had a dog - a Pembroke Welsh Corgi - who he'd gotten from a rescue organization. He really loved that dog. That dog really loved him.

I'll probably think of a lot of good things to say about my dad after I post this entry. Maybe I'll add them, maybe I won't. All I can say now is - I love my dad, and I really miss him.

Eighteen Weeks.....and still counting.

In theory I've got a job. I've had the interview, I've had the verbal offer, and I've gotten the offer letter (signed and sent back). But. Now they have to do a background check and a ton of other paperwork....which could take anywhere from 30 to 45 days.

sigh.

So. Even though I've got the offer, I'm still sending out resumes - in hopes to find something sooner that might be a juicier find. I know, I should be thankful for the offer I do have - and I AM. But I'd much rather start work next Monday, not sometime in December. It's not only better for me financially, I'll have a lot less time to think about whether or not this job is the "right" one for me....yeah, I think WAY too much sometimes.

Otherwise. I miss my Dad. I'm glad to be back home with hubby and puppy, but I miss hanging out with Mom too. And now it's getting cold out, which means winter is coming. Mom is coming for Christmas, so no desert visit for me this year. I just wish we had the money to fix the guest room door. Maybe we'll have her stay in our room and we'll take the guest room......Hey, maybe next year I can get Mom to go to the desert WITH us....hmmmmm.

16 weeks - 4 months - hope on the horizon!

The end of week 16 finds me with a verbal job offer! There's still some paperwork to get through, and basically - until I'm AT MY DESK - I won't stop crossing my fingers or keeping my eyes open, but YAY!!

One of my brothers also has a very good lead on a job...he may find out in the next week or two, so fingers are crossed for him too.

I got back home last Saturday to a surprised hubby and a very happy puppy. It's good to be home. I talk to Mom almost every day, making sure she's not feeling alone too much. I think she's doing well, and next week her piano teaching starts up, so that will be very good for her.

So...what do you (few) people think of this 2012 prophecy? Any thoughts or ideas?

Week 15....still waiting.

Well. It's been a decidedly yucky summer, that much I can attest to. I'm still up in Michigan, though I have my eye on flying homeward soon. I miss my hubby and my dog! But Mom's needed me here to help with her transition, and I have no regrets to the time I've been here. After all, she has to learn a whole new way of living - she hasn't been truly alone for over 53 years. But I have every faith that she'll succeed and do it with style. My mom is pretty awesome, ya know?

As for me. I FINALLY had a job nibble!! Actually, the first call came in on the day dad died. But after a bit of phone tag, I got a phone interview and it sounds promising. I should be getting a face-to-face next week if things go well. Let's hope to the goddess that they go well!!!

One nice thing about these visits to Michigan - I've been able to reconnect with some long-time friends. D., B., and R. have all come back into my life, and that is just way awesome. I hope we can maintain contact and grow our friendships into our old age.

More later!

Hugs.

Sad day

Week 13 of unemployment finds me in Michigan again.

Today - 09/09/09 - at 3:00 - my father died.

This summer really sucks.

Three months now....12 long, distressing weeks

So. Week 12 finds me the same - still unemployed, still not exercising, still worried about Dad.

He's doing better - though he's back on the breathing vent. He had his pacemaker replaced last Friday, but it hit his body rather hard, so they put him back on so he wouldn't have to fight for oxygen. But he's still on that damn teeter totter.

Maybe I'm not supposed to get a job until Dad's home from the hospital??

But....

I'm beginning to hate being a whiny jobless person. I know, I could quit whining....but I'd still be jobless. WHY won't someone call me?!?! I've put out many resumes, but I haven't gotten ONE call!!

Damn it to all the hells.

. . . Week # 11 . . .

One week shy of 3 months of unemployment...

This week finds me back home. Dad is MUCH better, though still in the hospital. We expect him home in mid- to late-September. Also, I finished up my acting class last night. Even though I had missed 2 classes, I really wanted to participate and get the chance to be critiqued by someone IN the industry. It was a lot of fun! Now I'm trying to get some headshots scheduled so I can actually audition for roles...who knows? I figure even if I only get 1 or 2 roles over the next few months or year, it'd be an experience I haven't had before. Also, I'm STILL trying to get my voice over demo done, because I think I'd be really really good at that.

But. I'm also still trying to get a "real" job in my career field...and still no interviews. Very discouraging. There was a job I would have been super great at - but unfortunately it's only for internal candidates. I did still contact the hiring manager with my resume - just in case they turn to an external candidate....it'd be a GREAT job.

So....I continue to hunt the job boards each day, doing follow-ups and sending out new resumes whenever I can. Wish me luck, ok?

New venue for weeks 9 and 10...

Week # 9 finds me in Michigan - my dad underwent some emergency surgery last Thursday night. Seven + hours of surgery. He had an abdominal arotic aneurysm that was huge and bleeding. He's doing better, but hasn't been brought out of sedation yet (today's Tuesday). I flew up on Friday morning to be here and help my mum. So far, dad is holding his own. There's been no blatant complications (i.e. he could have had a stroke, a heart attack, been paralysed, or had kidney failure, etc.) but he's still not breathing on his own, and he still has the spinal drain in....so we wait.

Good thing I'm unemployed, basically.

I'm still filing for unemployment, and doing a job search - one just never knows. But for now, I'm up in Michigan, missing my hubby and my puppy. And will be here way into week # 10 too.

We start into week EIGHT

I have been part of the workforce - with one significant break due to relocation/lack of employment - for 26 years. I have worked as a groom at a stable, an employee of Fotomat, a picture framer, retail management, an optical associate, a fast food cashier, a bank teller, and - for most of my career - as a writer/editor.

But the point is, I've almost always had a job. The one time I didn't was much more MY choice, after I'd moved from Arizona to Maine (LONG story there). I'd been working on a master's degree in AZ while my hubby was up in Maine working, but when the semester ended I moved up to be with him. I had thought to finish out my masters in Maine, but circumstances changed that direction. Instead, I started looking for a job in July shortly after I got there. We lived in Bangor - a population of 33,000 and not a lot of anything in publishing. I managed to find a 3/4-time job in September, but that didn't work out, and I was back to searching again in October. In November I started a part-time job at the Public Broadcasting Network (really super people and kinda fun job) that I kept till the following May - but then we moved to Maryland. Within a few weeks I got a job back into publishing and have been fully employed up till 8 weeks ago.

What's the point of all this? I dunno. I can't stop reeling from STILL being unemployed. I feel much better - in many ways - when I have an office to go to, a project (or 10!) to work on, co-workers to talk to, and a commute to do twice a day. It's too easy for me to just sit on the couch with the TV on, surfing the internet for jobs and NOT playing with the dog. I know part of it is due to being down about not working, but I also know that I am inherently lazy, in need of structure.

"So go out and do something every day" you say? Yeah, that's so much easier said than done, especially when it's hot and sticky out or storming. "But you'd be commuting through all that if you had a job" you say? Yes, but that is very worth it. That is part of what makes having a job "fun" to me.

And I really really want to have fun. I really want a job.

Seven weeks....

49 days. It's a long time, but I have a feeling it's going to be a lot longer. Not one nibble. Many resumes out - sent one today, and two follow ups to past submissions - but nothing on them seems to have caught anyone's attention yet.

I have finally started getting my weekly unemployment checks....which are almost exactly 1/3 of what I was making per week previously. How the heck can someone adjust to loosing 2/3 of their income?!? Yeah, I know - at least I have something coming in, but still.

I just want a job. I am a skilled editor, with over 12 years of experience and a bachelor's degree. I am very personable, learn quickly, and am quite motivated. I do admit that there are SOME jobs I'm avoiding...I'm not interested (at all) in the political field, or foreign policy. There's also a job opening at Oxford University Press - but it's for their Physics Journals...I have never taken a class in physics, nor am I adept at interpreting the language, so I'm not going for that position. There's even a Publications Officer position open at the CIA - and I admit, I really seriously considered applying. But. No. Can't quite do it. I'm not a patriot, nor am I that interested in National Defense...let alone the thought of the description they give of the depth of the background, personality, and physical checks that they'd do.

So yeah, I admit, there are more jobs out there than what I'm pursuing. But I don't want "just" a job - I want a job that I'll be interested in, learn things from, and want to go into every week day for many years....so I have to be "true" to the knowledge of myself, right? I have to stick to my likes, wants, desires, and hope those bring me my needs.

But hopefully I'll find something before much longer.

And another one's gone...

I know - YESTERDAY was Monday, but I was working really hard - not at a job, just cleaning the house in prep for upcoming visitors. I didn't realize how much a Boxer actually sheds....it's insidious....the little black hairs just kind of meld to the carpet on the stairs, and hide in the corners quietly breeding....and then there's the drool emissions. When that dog shakes his head, he'll let fly with the drool and it can land on the wall at SHOULDER HEIGHT!!! Yeesh.

But anyway. Still no job nibbles. Sent off 3-4 more resumes, and today is the "close" date (they stop accepting resumes) for one I'd love to get. Oh, and then there's DC unemployment - ye gods....

Last night was the 2nd meeting of acting class - it's so fun!! On the first night our instructor assigned us a 1 act play and a partner we'll work with for the next few weeks. At the end of 8 weeks, we'll perform the 1 act play in front of friends, family, AND a real Talent Scout!! My role is . . . quite interesting. I'll tease you about it over the next few weeks...for now, let's just call it a challenging and transformative role. And last night the instructor (Kevin) gave us a booklet of monologues - next week we get to choose one that we have to memorize and perform on the last night (along with the 1 act play). I'm way excited about that!!

Anyhoo - gotta get back to work on the house...after I walk the dog.

Beginning of Week FOUR....

It's another Monday. Still no job nibbles. Feeling a bit better - but have a persistent cough, so I made a doctors appointment for tomorrow. The cough seems to rumble right out of my chest, and keeps waking me up at night, so something must give.

On a happier note - tonight is the first night of acting class! This will be so very cool!! It's an 8-week course; 4 weeks of theater work, 3 weeks of TV/movie acting practice and then the final night is performance night - complete with a REAL SCOUT!! I'm not expecting to "be discovered" but one just never knows...if I could get into some extra parts that would be way cool. I'll let you know how it goes.

Oh, and happy birthday (tomorrow) to Mom and Su too!

Just another Monday....

Well, it'll be 3 weeks tomorrow since I was laid off from my job. I found out on Friday that another brother of mine also was laid off - after almost 17 years at his job! Granted, he'd switched departments a little less than a year ago, so his seniority wasn't there for that position....but wow. That makes it 3 out of 4 of us in my family who are unemployed. Not a good situation. My youngest brother (they're all older than me....) was laid off earlier this year - I think it was sometime in April? He's in Michigan and was working as a temp for one of the automakers....The brother who just lost his job (middle bro) worked as a Training Database Coordinator...something to do with IT and getting people up to speed on the tech and procedures...He too, is in Michigan. Both men have families to support, and because neither of my sister-in-laws work, they are facing extremely lean times.

Me and hubby are slightly better off...just because HE still has his job. But times are lean. To top it off, I've been sick for 2 of the past 3 weeks...that really sucks, because it makes looking for a job a lot less energetic, not to mention the worry I have of actually GETTING an interview, and having to go in not feeling up to my normal spit-n-vinegar. But I really hope something breaks soon - I really really want to work again.

Either that, or just run away and live in a cave.

Much more up for sale now

I now have 20 items - mostly bracelets and earrings, but also one bookmark - up for sale at Etsy.com.

Go there, look under "sellers" for WhichCraftDC.

Enjoy.

when it rains....

And now my car needs $500 worth of work.

seriously - anyone wanna buy a house?

...

Laid off.

anyone wanna buy a house?

I'm sellin'!!

Yup - finally made the leap and put my craft ware up on Etsy!! Check me out at:

WhichCraftDC.etsy.com

I've only got a few earrings up so far - but some of the bracelets should make it on by this weekend.

WOO HOOO!!!

memories and editing

Yesterday's yard sale totally sucked. The weather didn't cooperate in the morning, and that kept most people away.

But today's been a quiet day. I've been thinking a lot about my English pen friend from my youth. He found my name through the I.Y.S. - not sure what that was back then. We started writing to each other in early 1980, and the last letter I have from him is dated November 1981. We were both around 15-16. He lived up in Merseyside, England, very near Liverpool, and he was very athletic and into Punk music. I'd love to find him again, but do you realize how common the name Ian McCarthy is in England!?! That's like John Smith here in the states.....I think I'll just write a letter to the last address I had of him and see what happens. It'd sure be a super hoot to reconnect with him.

As for editing - We went to buy some groceries this afternoon - up Georgia Ave. to a Safeway store. One the way there, we got stopped at a red light and I'm staring at a sign of a property for sale....it said "Avalable"....I started laughing. Since there was an 800 number, I called it. I spoke to a nice man and told him his big, professionally made sign was misspelled. He actually thanked me, said I was a very kind person, and that his sign maker needed to go back to school!

Not bad for a gray, cool Sunday.

Beading Beading Beading...

Get those beads a rollin'...

Ahem. Anyway....

I'm looking for ideas – from all 4 of my readers….
I’m going to try and launch my beading into a bigger market. Basically, I’d like to do up a little web site, or maybe just start with a simple blog with photos to try and sell my stuff. I make beaded bracelets and earrings mostly. Sometimes I do necklaces. Here are a couple of examples:



But I’d like to hear from anyone out there – ideas? For my web site? For pricing (this is a hard one!)? For design (color, material)? Places to sell (craft shows…though that kinda scares me at the moment)? How ‘bout just any advice, suggestions, or thoughts — all would be welcome. Oh, and if you want to buy something, that’d be even MORE super!!

So spread the word. WhichCraft beads of DC is launching into the world!!! Slowly.

no effort

I am the only one in charge of me.

I am the only one who can take care of my body, my mind, my soul, and my spirit.

And I am the one who just wants to give up and let nature take over, let the whims of chance work their wiles on me. To NOT be proactive. To NOT care what happens.

Because I am the only one to blame. And I DON’T really care at the moment.

I don’t want to be the strong, clever, forward thinker anymore.

Working hard has NEVER gotten me where I’ve really wanted to be, in the past — so what’s to say it will work in the future? Nothing.

I am so very sick and tired of this ride. I would demand a refund, but that is not a possibility.

So I will continue on, in my climate of wanting what I can’t have, wishing for the impossible. Forward into tomorrow.

But I don’t want to put forth the effort anymore.

changes

I really couldn't think of a good title for this post. I settled for "Changes" because it covers things in a variety of ways.

Change #1 - the very saddest change. My friend's mother died two days ago. My friend is only 32, so her mother wasn't much older than me (OK, so she was probably about 15 years older, but still). Part of the sad thing is, my friend is way up in Wisconsin, and I'm stuck here in DC. I can't just go to her and give her a hug, or see if I can do anything for her. So I send words. Words of sympathy, words of love, words of caring, words. Too bad words can't carry a hug.

Change #2 - My life. I'm a fully medicated diabetic now. It sucks. I have to stick myself every morning to check my blood sugar. I've tried - quite hard - to connect with a diabetic educator, but the closest one that is covered by my health insurance is over in West Virginia. Isn't that totally ridiculous?? I've tried talking to a few people, but no juice. So, even though I really want to get some help, to do the best thing for my situation, I can't. I'm still completely on my own. Yeah, I've potentially got a nice new doctor - potentially, because I'm still not sure my insurance will cover HER! Gotta wait to see what sort of payment insurance will give her, before I commit totally. I mean, if they're not going to pay for her, I sure can't, especially now that I'm spending about $50-75 a month on meds!! And yeah, I've got my super husband, he's been great. But he isn't an expert in diabetes, so.... I'm not doing as much as I should, because I loose my momentum, my drive, and get depressed. Yes, I'm still exercising - usually 2x a week. But that's not enough to really affect my diabetes, just keep it in stasis. I'm sticking closer to my diet, but not enough. So, I've come to realize today that I'm about as "healthy" as I'm going to be - now I just need to try and lock it all into place.

Change #3 - Relationships. I don't have many friends. J. - down in New Orleans. L. - up in Michigan. W. - in NJ. T. - here in DC area. And of course my wonderful hubby. I can also count my Mom, and, until my last post pissed him off, a fellow named A.C.II. Except for the last one, I don't quite know why I don't have more....I'm usually a very true friend, doing my best to be there, help out, be a part of a partnership. But as I've mentioned previously (in some other post I think), making friends when one's in their 40s is no small feat. If you can't meet them at work, there's really no-where else to hook up. And I've tapped a majorly dry well at work, so.....So what's changing you ask? Hopefully my desperate desire for friendship. I need to embrace my own friendship, to be fulfilled with my on-my-owness. To stop trying to cling onto every person I meet. And to my friend A.C.II - I said I was disappointed because I care so very much, and yet can do nothing. Talking to the individuals wouldn't help - I've tried it couple of times. Everyone does only what they want to do, not what others want them to do. One lives life under one's own motivation.

Change #4 - this one is left open for potentialities. Here's hopin'.

disappointing futures

This is not going to be a very “nice” post, but it’s something that’s been on my mind for a while, and I figure I need to write it down to get it to move on….

It’s about my nieces and nephews. I’ve got 10 of them (ok, one is a step-niece, but still), and they range in age from 2 years to 27 years old. Now basically, I’m only going to complain about the ones over 18…which, coincidentally is exactly half of them (or 5, for those of you who may be mathematically challenged)…ages of 18 (19 by May), 19 (20 by June), 21 (22 by April), 23 (24 by June), and 27. See, each of them is kind of disappointing. Not ONE of them is really succeeding (let alone excelling!) in life, and they don’t really seem to care too much about it. Only one is really pursuing a career – and he’s doing ok, though he did fail a class and therefore pushed his graduation back by 6 months. The others though…seem so very directionless. And one of them is married with a kid of his own already. Granted, they all have great dreams and come up with plans all the time, but there’s no motivation or follow thru. They don’t seem able to take it all in hand and DO SOMETHING for themselves.

I don’t know if the “fault” lies with the parents (my brothers & sis-in-laws) or just in the laziness of the individual. Granted, I don’t think my brothers (any of them, really) did all that great in the parenting realm, but then I also don’t think they did badly either – NONE of the “kids” is in trouble, on drugs, or just plain f*cked up….That in itself is a major accomplishment these days. All of them are polite, clean (usually), intelligent, talented, and have a firm grasp of wrong and right.

But they’re not doing a thing to really grab onto their potential and make a success out of their lives. Just what ARE they doing, you ask? Two of them are currently living at home (one working and going to school, the other has tried 3 colleges, but is doing nothing to my knowledge); one is in a dead-end internship out of state (down in Disney), but not taking advantage of the course work she could get; one works at something like Chick-fillet or Starbucks and just got engaged (no college); and one is married (has an associates) with a child and a wife…and last I heard he wasn’t fully employed. So as I said, no overt ambition….though, again, there is ONE who seems to be headed in that direction….But 1 out of 5? Doesn’t sound like good odds to me. I realize that maybe they don’t fully understand yet that their life is strictly up to them – what they get out of it is only what they put into it. If they put no effort into it, they’ll get nothing in return. They need to learn that they – themselves – are the ONLY ONE RESPONSIBLE for what happens to them. If they’re broke because they’re not working….find a job – anything to pay the bills till you figure out what you really want to do – AND THEN FIGURE OUT HOW TO DO IT. Success takes effort. Lots of effort. And it means sometimes doing things you don’t really want to do, in order to get to where you want to be.

If you have a dream, something that you really want to do – pursue it. Figure out what it will take to fulfill it, whether that’s schooling, internships, research, or just working in the field/type of job you want, so you can gain experience to get up to the level you want to be at ultimately. But DO something. If you want to go to a specific college, figure out how you can get the money (scholarships, grants, working while attending, etc.) and then GO FOR IT. If you don’t get it the first time, GO FOR IT AGAIN, and again, and again. You are the only one who can make your life happy – no one else has any influence on it (unless you let them, which is perfectly fine, as long as you’re not leeching off of them). I know from personal experience that sometimes what you really want is just too hard to get to right this minute…but that doesn’t mean you should give up on it. You just need to do your best right now, keep the dream in sight and work on it in whatever way you can, and eventually you will figure out a way to attain your goal.

It’s just kind of sad to watch the “next generation” be such a group of do-nothings, when I can see they have a ton of potential. I’ve offered to help a few times, in such a way where I wouldn’t be carrying them but that they’d be able to follow through on their own….but no takers. Guess they really don’t want to make the effort – do they just want it handed to them? Not gonna happen.

But I guess there is always possibility for change, right? Here's hopin'.

Warm, green, and welcoming....

I miss it.

Five answers

Barbara over at Looking2live was asked by a friend of hers to answer 5 questions, (yes, another meme, but this one is fun). At the end of her 5 questions, she said if anyone was interest in being "interviewed" with their own questions they could leave a note in the comments and she'd pick a special 5 for them to answer on their own blogs. So I asked for my questions, and these are what she chose for me....

1. If you had $1,000,000, what would you do with it?
A) Well, it kind of depends on whether or not the money would be taxed. If it wasn't (meaning I had the WHOLE million to spend) first I would quit my job. Then I would pay off all of our debts (my hubby's and mine). That alone would take a big chunk of it. Then I'd help my family out - my three brothers and my parents, and Hubby's aunt and mom. I would love to help MANY people out, so I would look into some sort of charity....But in all honesty, I'd also spend it on me/us. I love to travel, so I could see international trips happening. Oh, and of course I'd invest a good chunk - to make sure I could travel for as long as I wanted.
Now if it was taxed, that would mean almost 1/3 to 1/2 would be gone, so I'd scale this all down to - pay off all our debts, help my family out, and make one fantastic trip....as well as a bit of investment.

2) How did you and your husband meet?
A) It was 1997, and I was living in Tucson. I'd been working for a company called Home Planners for about 2 years, when, on September 2nd a new graphic designer came to work. He was shown around the office, introduced to everyone else before coming to my desk. He seemed rather nice, had a shy smile. We started to talk a little each day, and I realized just how incredibly clever, interesting, and CUTE he was. We started officially dating after one month, and moved in together at 4 months. He told me later that on that first day, when he met me, he had a surprising urge to become a "clinging vine" with me being the trellis!! This June we are celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary. So office romances CAN work - right Barbara?!

3) What living famous person would you most like to have as a dinner guest, and why? What would you serve?
A) I would love to have the author, Neil Gaiman, come to visit, with his fantastic wit and intelligent conversation. I read his blog and love to hear his travels through life. He seems like such a kind and complex fellow - he lives in Minnesota, and felt so sorry for his dog (Cabal has a healing incision which hurt in the cold) that he loaded him up and drove south to get him warm!! As for what I'd serve him - Whatever his heart's desire would be. Then I'd sit back and talk books with him.

4) If you could re-do one thing in your life, what would it be?
A) You didn't say whether or not I'd know then what I know now, so I'm assuming I would....I've given this one a whole lot of thought. Not that I have a lot of things I want to do over, but the 2-3 that I do are rather powerful, so I had to choose one. I decided if I could re-do my college years, knowing what I know now, I would try harder, listen better, and thus provide myself with much more potential NOW for my future.

5) What has having a puppy taught you?
A) Oh my goddess...I love my dog, but I tell ya, I wouldn't want to raise another puppy. Boy, it really makes me glad I didn't try motherhood!!! But I also admit that I've never had a more loving animal in my life. He makes me laugh every day, reminding me of the joy in life even when my day may have been really sh*tty. He's also made me see the world from a different view - about 2.5 feet off the ground! Seriously, his viewpoint is so different from mine, I think it's a bit like a parent seeing through their childs' eyes...the world is so new to them, fresh, full of life. That's a good way to look at life, don't cha think?

Now I have to post the "rules" of this meme....

1. Leave me a comment saying, "Interview me."
2. I will respond by emailing you five questions. (I get to pick the
questions).
3. You will update your blog with the answers to the questions.
4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview
someone else in the same post.
5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask
them five questions.

So...let me know if you want a piece of this.

The typical new years post, I guess

Ok, so for 2009, now that I have a better job (one that not only pays well, but is something I'm enjoying - mostly) I have decided that I shall focus on my LIFE.


I am looking into voice lessons - want to sing with a choir again.

I am getting a new tattoo - way cool.

I'm going to get my motorcycle license - but not buy a 'cycle quite yet.

I may take horseback riding lessons again - first time since 1995.

And we're planning a trip back to Arizona for our 10 year anniversary....that will be super wonderful.

How 'bout you? What are you hoping to do more of/accomplish/try this year?