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?

Two requests and a statement

The First Request

Hello my dear blogreaders....I have a small request of you. Please read the following, visit the website mentioned, and at least look at the pictures. Doing more than that is your own decision - I can't ask you to do anything more....but I really hope you at least spread the message, if not go a few steps further. Thanks. Oh, and look for my photos - there's two of them....let me know if you find them!


Where’s the Cure?
Submit your photo. Add your voice. Demand the research to find the cure. “Where’s the Cure?” is an online photo contest sponsored by amfAR (The American Foundation on AIDS Research). It’s designed to send a real, tangible message to the world, and directly to the President. Browse the galleries, and submit your photo for a chance to be included in the “Where’s the Cure?” print-on-demand book.
Find out more at: http://wheresthecure.amfar.org

The Second Request

I am an avid reader, and wish for all children to learn the wonders and fun of reading. To help this along, I present this url. My company is sponsoring a page here - please read the page and go with your heart. Thanks!

The Statement

I still really like my job - today we did a turkey run! What this means is, 4 of us went to the grocery store and bought 11 frozen turkeys (filming the whole picking-out-the turkeys, loading them into the cart, then loading them into the car) then we went to the DC Central Kitchen and delivered the turkeys (filmed that too!). It felt really good.

Then tonight we had the company meeting - at a bar with spouses/significant others, and these people were super cool to hang out with.

I am beginning to know what it's like to work with REAL human beings, for a company that really seems to care for its employees, doing work that I didn't know I'd be this excited about. This is so amazing.

a seldom seen creature

Self confidence. It's a strange and elusive thing at times. Just like a very rare creature, it only shows up once in a while, peeking its little nose above the bushes to investigate the surroundings, sussing out the environment, getting comfortable with its territory.

Then, once it's all settled in, it still doesn't show itself all the time. Once in a while something will startle it - making it dart back into its burrow to quiver and wonder about the cosmos. But most often it's out there - all proud and strong. That's when it accomplishes a LOT - making new friends, impressing its bosses, coworkers, and self.

Yet...Other times it seems like it went away on vacation.

Didn't you know? Self confidence is completely schizophrenic.

The new job

So - my new office has many perks!! Not only a ping pong table, but a dart board, a very well stocked kitchen (free soda - even my diet Mt. Dew - plates, silverware, glasses, toaster, microwave, snacks, juices, and a dishwasher!), and a Wii!!!

There's also a great view both to the North West and the South West - I can see the Washington Monument from my desk! (we're on the 12th floor) The people seem very nice and welcoming, and the work (yes, they put me right to work today!!) is both interesting and challenging.

I think I'm going to like this place.

WOO HOO!!!

I GOT A NEW JOB!!!!!!!!!!!!

I START ON THE 17TH!!!!!!!

LIFE IS LOOKING UP!!!!!!!