One Word, Two Words, 25 Things Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Me

BEWARE SUPER LONG POST!!!
I hope this doesn't offend anyone, but just really trying to be efficient here. And to stop feeling guilty.

This will be overwhelming if you read it all, but with all the FB tags (I love reading all about everyone else, believe me!), I just needed to get this all out once and for all so I can stop feeling guilty about not tagging people back in a timely manner. Also, I tried to get all of this in Notes on FB and the stupid thing made me lose the entire notes at least 4 times. I should have quit after one, but I am nothing if not persistent. So read at your leisure ... or not. But I will be referring back to this next time I'm tagged. My alter ego Sarcastica may put in an answer or two, beware.


ONE WORD

1. Where is your cell phone?

2. Your significant other? loved

3. Your hair? pulled

4. Your mother? friend

5. Your father? which

6. Your favorite thing? dreams

7. Your dream last night? real

8. Your favorite drink? cosmo

9. Your dream/goal? independence

10. What room you are in? bedroom

11. Your hobby? parenting

12. Your fear? none

13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? passionate

14. Where were you last night? meeting

16. Muffins? popyseed

17. Wish list item? lottery

18. Where you grew up? Switzerland

19. Last thing you did? dinner

20. What are you wearing? sweats

21. Your TV? off

22. Your pets? old

23. Friends? real

24. Your life? unfulfilled

25. Your mood? weary

26. Missing some one? no

27. Car? dirty

28. Something you're not wearing? bra

29. Your favorite store? none

30. Your favorite color? all

33. When is the last time you laughed? Sunday

34. Last time you cried? unknown

35. One place that I go to over and over? daycare

36. One person who emails me regularly? DailyCandy

37. My favorite place to eat? out

38. Why you participated in this survey? guilt

39. What are you doing tonight? work



TWO WORDS

No more than 2 words can be used...

1. Where is your cell phone? hopefully trash

2. Your significant other? best friend

3. Your hair? still attached

4. Your mother? spritual creative

5. Your father? have several

6. Your favorite thing? two kids

7. Your dream last night?always fabulous

8. Your favorite drink? lemon drop

9. Your dream/goal? total freedom

10. The room you’re in? master bedroom

11. Your ex? maybe dead

12. Your fear? dying unfulfilled

13. Your worst enemy? nope none

14. Where were you last night? basketball practice

15. What you’re not? proactively thoughtful

16. Muffins? if available

17. One of your wish list items? win lottery

18. Where you were born? Spokane WA

19. The last thing you did? cooked dinner

20. What are you wearing? comfy sweats

21. Your TV? not on

22. Your pet/pets? arthritic sweetheart

23. Your computer? Necessary evil

24. Your life? lacking passion

25. Your mood? anxiously weary

26. Missing someone? no one

27. Something you’re not wearing? warm socks

28. Favorite Store? anything scrapbooking

29. Your summer? favorite season

31. Your favorite color? love all

32. Last time you laughed? Movie theater


25 THINGS

1. I can't live far from the ocean

2. I love disco and I just decided that we were going to have Saturday Night Fever open houses once a month at our house

3. My first car was a '69 Fiat Spider convertible as a senior in High school - bright yellow - and people used to break into it (real easy) just to sit in it. Annoying, but no harm no foul.

4. I love to travel and go to other countries to learn about and experience other cultures - have been to over 20 countries so far

5. I have a real hard time with any person harming or killing another in the name of a deity. I actually think they are the epitome of ignorant and evil.

6. I'm fascinated by religious data and history and would love to know the truths, but even if I knew I would never be religious (rather I am spiritual)

7. I worry that my newish circle of friends will dissolve or stop including me once our kids don't go to the same school next year. They feed my soul.

8. My husband won't share his music with me

9. I really don't get technology at all. Can't get my family movies off mini DV's, have no patience to troubleshoot any problem, can't get my iPod to do what its supposed to do, haven't been able to get my company's web site up and running in two years, etc.

10. My kids amaze me; just watching their everyday comings and goings when they don't know I'm watching is amazing. The way she sticks her tongue out when she concentrates, the twist of his feet when he's getting candy, the happy hip hops down the hall ... its all quite joyful.

11. I hate do-overs. Never dated a boyfriend twice, hate having my work edited and given back to me, was dismayed when Juice turned out to be much like Mac - felt like a do-over at the time.
12. I have the worse time starting conversations with anyone - people I know and people I don't. I'm not great at chit chat conversations preferring in depth interactions.

13. I'm super interested in how others live their lives. Sorry if I ask really personal questions, but its how I learn new things for myself

14. I'd love to be a magazine editor

15. I have over 20 half started books & magazines by my bed

16. I love mid-century modern decor - actually I love watching HGTV's decorating shows, particularly Color Splash and Myles of Style. I wish someone would help me cause I'm seriously color challenged (as witnessed by our purple house - not intentionally that way)

17. I keep looking for my life's passion

18. I'm a risk taker even though it always pushes me out of my comfort zone

19. I have a thing about not wanting to eat the same thing twice in the same quarter, so I make dinner menus that are different for at least 90 days - I actually have 180 options to pick from or more - I love going through online recipes or cookbooks for things my family will like

20. I will write a book

21. I'm not very lucky but I will win the lottery someday

22. I'm not a fan of hot liquids - not coffee, tea, soups, and while I like hot chocolate, I like it lukewarm

23. My one regret is that I wish I'd done college differently

24. I worry about having enough money in retirement and living poor

25. I toured with a major R&B star in my early 20's

More About Me .. Me Me Me ... Yay Me!

What time did you get up this morning? 8:10a – Juice climbed over Myron and pushed me off the bed to get under the covers between us.

Diamonds or pearls? Diamonds – big ones if possible.

What was the last film you saw at the cinema? Hotel for Dogs - quite funny

What is your favorite TV show? Can only watch one regularly off DVR – Heroes; but love the décor shows on HGTV if I get to indulge in more than 10 minutes at a time

What do you usually have for breakfast? Kashi cereal or toast

What is your middle name? Sue (mother’s name is Suzanne – could be after her but never asked)

What food do you dislike? Fruit (especially orange) on/in/with stuff like burgers, pizza, chicken, chocolate (only some fruit dipped in milk chocolate works); white asparagus; sweet pickles

What is your favorite CD at moment? I only have a couple in the queue in my car stereo – mostly Beatles, the original score to Hair; like everything on my iPod, but rarely have it with me and haven’t figured out how to move the library over to my laptop so I can add more songs (anyone feel free to offer to helpJ)

What kind of car do you drive? VW Passat (just hit the 100,000 mark!!!)

Favorite sandwich? BLTA, but love a really good tuna, egg salad or grilled cheese.

What characteristics do you despise? Lack of integrity

Favorite item of clothing? not a fan of anything I own at the moment

If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go? can't pick just one – Australia, Vermont in the winter (or Davos, Switzerland), Alaska cruise, China, Turkey, African safari, The Maldives. Anywhere with a nice pool in warm sun

Favorite brand of clothing? None – don’t even know what kinds of brands exist

Where would you retire to? Friday Harbor – San Juan Islands with a view of the Sound

What was your most memorable birthday? My 16th – my mom took me to London for some shopping and to see premier of Grease. By far my favorite birthday!

Favorite sport to watch? Baseball, finals of any sport, Olympics

Are you a morning person or a night person? Night

What is your shoe size? 11

Pets? 1 – Merlin, the 11 year old great Dane who is still hanging around

Any new and exciting news you'd like to share with us? We bought our first rental/investment property!

What did you want to be when you were little? I just wanted to survive

What is your favorite candy? Almond Joy

What is your favorite flower? Dahlias

What is a day on the calendar you are looking forward to? The day we get to decorate the house for the holidays as a family

What are you listening to right now? The news on TV, the kids swiftering the playroom and bickering about who gets to do what, Myron trying to get them to stop and the dog barking

What was the last thing you ate? French Dip, fritos, grapes

Do you wish on stars? Absolutely

If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Don’t know any of those colors and could never pick just one

How is the weather right now? Freezing!

The first person you spoke to on the phone today? My mom

Favorite soft drink? Diet Coke

Favorite restaurant? Met Grill, Seattle

Real hair color ? Dirty Blonde

What was your favorite toy as a child? Books, Chinese jump rope and 2 friends (to hold it); my records

Summer or winter? Summer!

Hugs or kisses? Kisses

Chocolate or Vanilla? Vanilla

Coffee or tea? neither – don’t drink hot beverages much although I love a good hot chocolate as long as it's only lukewarm

When was the last time you cried? It’s actually been a little while. I tear up at the drop of a hat, so likely I did that 10 times today, 20 yesterday, etc, but haven’t had time to cry much lately

What is under your bed? I’m not even going to look – the things I know for sure are my stash of my very own tool box that no one is allowed to touch but me, a storage bin with shoes and lots and lots of dust and dog hair I’m sure. Could be other stuff, but ‘m not willing to look otherwise I will feel compelled to clean it out and I don’t feel like doing that today

What did you do last night? Went to see The Drowsy Chaperone at the 5th Ave – great show!

What are you afraid of? I try not to spend any time being afraid of anything – very unproductive
Salty or sweet? both... and together!

How many keys on your key ring? 6-7 I think

How many years at your current t job? 2

Favorite day of the week? Saturday or Sunday whichever has the least chores to do

How many cities have you lived in? 6

Do you make friends easily? No – I’m shy and not prone to talking first; but once I do make friends they are friends for life


Then (High School Senior Year) and Now - Share!

1. Did you date someone from your school?

No. I was too mature and too cool to date those "boys."


2. Did you marry someone from your high school?

No. Married in my 30's to someone not from my school


3. Did you carpool to school?

No.


4. What kind of car did you have?

'69 Fiat Spider convertible


5. What kind of car do you have now?

2000 VW Passat


6. It's Friday night ... where are you? (then)

Sneaking into a club with fake ID


7. It's Friday night ... where are you? (now)

At home in my jammies


8. What kind of job did you have in high school?

Cashier, Jack In The Box


9. What kind of job do you do now?

Director of Operations, Meetings industry


10. Were you a party animal?

I went to parties, but was the sensible one


11. Were you considered a flirt?

Not in high school - learned that skill in college


12. Were you in band, orchestra, or choir?

No, came into high school from another country as a senior so had not idea there were these kinds of things


13. Were you a nerd?

I was a good student, but not considered a nerd


14. Did you get suspended or expelled?

Never


15. Can you sing the fight song?

Definitely not


16. Who was/were your favorite teacher(s)?

Teachers were the enemy, by my Chem teacher (can't remember her name) was really caring and the english teachers were both cute to look at


17. Where did you sit during lunch?

Cafeteria or outside


18. What was your school mascot?

Kangaroo (you heard me ... now stop snickering)


19. If you could go back and do it again, would you?

Only if circumstances were different (coming into High School before my Senior year) then maybe.


20. Did you have fun at prom?

I think so. I was glas to have been asked


21. Do you still talk to the person you went to Prom with?

Never saw him after graduation. I think he moved back to Japan and became a doctor


22. Are you planning on going to your next reunion?

Nope - didn't know anyone then and don't know anyone now (except for Linda who found me on FB recently)


23. Do you still talk to people from school?

No - see answer above.


OK - I'm done now!

Wish I Was Her

This beautiful girl-child of mine has gifts I couldn't even dream of having when I was her age. I don't even have as many now!

Parent-teacher conferences tonight and she was invited to participate. The main reason is that the teachers wanted her to set new goals for next trimester. She voluntarily pushed past her comfort zone setting high standards for herself and believing that they are achievable. And I know she will bust her buns to achieve them, too. She was said to be helpful to the teachers and to her friends, often helping her classmates through their difficulties after finishing her own work early. She has good time management skills, leadership skills, social and academic skills. And if you've been around, you know she can sing, too!

All of this I know about her, but to hear it from others is a bonus. It makes me proud of her and after her conference, I told her so. And she hit me with what makes her so gifted in my eyes ... she said "I'm proud if myself too, Mom!"

I wish I was her.

My Utopia

Every year, I try to spend some time on figuring out resolutions. So far, this year I haven't spent but a few moments before passing out in bed in the early morning hours thinking of what I want this coming year. I am a night owl and time off at the holidays was perfect for my indulgences in getting some family business organized (doesn't budgeting and your annual financial analysis just really do it for you, too?!?!?!?) and massive channel surfing so 10 minutes of pre-sleep list-making doesn't make for very strong resolutions.

The usual suspects make this year's list, as they have every year:
- Get healthy, lose weight (to get healthy)
- Spend more time with friends and family
- Get our home organized, re-do Julian's room
- Figure out how to win the lottery, or at least how to do better at spending and making money
- Not just think of myself first (although I don't really know how to do that) but to actually do something that will be good for my mind, body and spirit.

I'd love to get whiter teeth, download nine years of mini DV's onto DVD's and figure out how to move my iTunes library to my laptop (if anyone knows how to do either, please please PLEASE HELP), make a family 2008 photo album, and read all 25 books that I've started and are all on the floor by my bed. I also don't want to buy anything that we don't need, use or love and would like Myron to follow that philosophy, too. If we accumulate much more stuff in our house or in our garage I may go postal!

More sex, less yelling at the kids; more time playing, less trying to figure out what's for lunch/dinner; more sun, less rain (oh right, that one's out of my control).

I'd like to know how to make one or two favorite drinks and meals perfectly, understand how to read my investment account statements (are those dashes in front of the number normal???), and stop feeling guilty about the damage I'm doing to my kids by letting them watch so much TV.

I can go on and on, but the little dreams I have that fill my heart with longing is a utopia that will likely remain a dream:

Living in a community development with my close friends as neighbors in a beautiful area overlooking the Sound with good schools nearby. Custom built buildings including communal kid playroom/adult playroom, hobby room, sports courts and pool and outdor kitchen with fun/sparkling lights strung across the courtyard. Earning a living by doing something creative that everyone in the world can't live without. Holiday craft parties and cookie baking sessions, summer plays and concerts - performed by all who live there - and lots of pool parties, friendly contests and competitions, watching each other's kids on date nights out and late night brainstorming sessions on how to be of service to the world (and actually following through on the ideas). In this world, no such thing as limited money, resources or time. No conflicts, only days filled with joy and laughter. There would always be enough room for new friends to join and nothing but love, love, love!

Yep, that's my utopia.

And I've masterfully managed to make it one more day without having to figure out my plan for not eating my MIL's delicious homemade peanut brittle in the pantry (once that's gone there's still holiday cookies and chocolate that beckons) while sizing up international dance champions, catching up on BET's top 25 breakups of all time, getting the gist of the new "beauty is more than skin deep" reality show by watching only 6.5 non-consecutive minutes including the elimination, weighing in on what house to buy on HGTV show, entering the HGTV's Dream Home contest, watching the news (what is the Governor up to, anyway?) and blogging. Yep - it took me 1.5 hours to write this!

Tomorrow ... that's when I'll make that health/fitness/diet plan. For sure!

A Moment of Reflection on Being Thankful

I love having a holiday to reflect on all the things I've been thankful for all year. Here's what I gave thanks to since last Thanksgiving:

FAMILY
We spent more time with family this year, just like we wanted. Winter wonderland in Chelan - sledding, visiting, roasting hot dogs in the fire pit in the snow, making igloos, hanging with cousins, brothers, sisters and parents. We added new family members (Ali's first Christmas this year!). Camping, giant pumpkin weigh offs and our traditional Chrsitmas Eve made this year so fun. We lost family too last year and will remember Curtis and Greg fondly each holiday season. My nuclear family is so special and I am so thankful for Myron, McKenna and Julian. They are healthy and happy and smart and talented and I love them so very much.

FRIENDS
We also made a point to spend more time with friends and those times were the highlight of our year. Even the most casual get togethers, GNO's, coffee dates, special occasions fed my soul. At the top of my New Year's resolutions list is to get with friends even more in 2009! I am so grateful for all our friends and cherish you all.

PETS
Merlin is almost 11! While his hips are pretty arthritic and painful, he is such a trooper and is otherwise healthy. How wonderful that he is here for yet one more Holiday season. One more season of wearing funny antler head gear while we trim the tree. One more season of a big fat rawhide bone from santa in his very own stocking.

WORK
I could not have asked for a better work environment this year. The RealTime team is such a fabulous team and group of people and even the customers were pretty good. The work is challenging and we had the best year ever. I worked hard but feel like I've contributed and that's what makes my work feel worthwhile.

VOLUNTEER WORK
As much as I complained this year about how overwhelmed and overextended I've been, I am grateful for all the learning and connections I made this last year. I now know where my limits are and that passion cannot be substituted. I know that I must feel connected to the cause I'm representing in order to make a difference and at least feel like I make a difference.

OPPORTUNITY
We finally reached one goal of ours - to expand our investment portfolio by buying an investment rental property. An opportunity to learn more about investing in this area and trying to secure an adequate retirement or college funding. I am grateful that we have the opportunity to do this, that for all the doom and gloom going on that we still can try to reach for that American Dream and see where it takes us. We are grateful for all our opportunities!

VACATIONS
If you know me, you know I LOVE vacations. As we've been blessed to have taken some wonderful trips this last year: Disneyland, Cannon Beach, Mt Rainier, Silverwood. We had so much fun this year and being able to spend my free time with my family is what I look forward in my life most.

THE OBVIOUS
Health, we have enough of the things we need, we give and receive tons of love ... we are truly blessed and I am so thankful for all that I have.

I hope you are as blessed as I am and I wish everyone to have a peaceful, joyful and sparkly Holiday Season.

They Look Like Us

Along with many of you, we watch and high fived and kissed and hooted with joy on the historic night of Nov 4th 2008. Obama standing at the podium, giving his speech, is one of those moments that you wll look back on and know what you were doing and who you were with.

My kids were allowed to stay up late and watch, but the whole thing was just too much for Juice. He peacefully drifted off to Obama's words between Myron and I on the couch. Mac however, was glued to the TV, and was asking all the right questions and serving up her own opinions on McCain and especially Palin. Grown up opinions I might add. Sounds like she's been listening to a bit of Air America in dad's car?!?

But all of us were accutely aware of the significance of the moment and for my kids especially, to never know that there are barriers to doing whatever they want because of the color of their skin is incredible for me to witness and know. When Myron and I married our parents were each skeptical that it would bring us happiness or that our children would be treated properly in this world. Myron and I also worried some that they might have to face difficulties because of their ethnicity. But this brings us hope and the belief that in this new day, as small of an issue as it is, that having someone who looks like them in the highest position in the land, and possibly the world, will break down even more barriers and prejudices and allow them to thrive and make their way, like everyone else.

McKenna remarked: "Those girls are so lucky - they get to live in the white house!" and to her, knowing nothing else, it seems like the most natural thing. But Myron and I, with tears in our eyes, didn't realize that the image of the First Family being white and older was so etched in our patriotic consciousness that it's almost hard to comprehend the new look of our leadership.

The hard work now starts. We also realize how much we are going to be asked to sacrifice and that we must help put this country back together. If we believed in Obama's ideals so fervently, then it's time to walk the walk. Hope to see you all along that road!

Please - Let This End (My Way)

I'm usually patient about politics. There's really no need to worry - I know I can't know results before election day, so I vote and wait patiently for results on the 6pm news every election day. This year, it's excrutiating! I feel like I'm the one running, Begging for this this end, but to end my way. I really feel anxious for the results and I just WANT TO KNOW! TODAY!

I really want Barrack Obama to win this thing. I hated that W was allowed into the WH a second term (actually also the 1st term to tell the truth) and wondered many times how ridiculously idiotic my fellow voters could be. But overall, I was resolved. Disappointed, but I moved on. This time, it's more. It feels like a life and death decision and people choosing the Republican ticket are choosing the death of America and what I stand for. This time I feel personally attacked when right wing politicians tell me that because I am liberal I am anti-American, a terrorist lover, and that my views are evil.

I know I cannot change anyone's view and yes - it is frustrating - but at the very least I don't go around bashing people who don't see things the same as I do. I don't think they should be eradicated from the earth and sent to hell. I don't bash their religious beliefs, spew bigotry or racial hatred, and I would NEVER NEVER hate anyone who had different ideas. I may not agree with those ideas, but to hate someone because they did? Just plain crazy.

And that's where things are headed - full on towards crazy. Americans hating Americans because we have different ideas on what's best for our country. Having to define ourselves by man-made political parties and being stereotyped because of a leaning affiliation. It's hard to see where this all starts and where it can end. We are giving up our power to make things right by subscribing to doctrine instead of listening and learning and following common sense.

Anyway, I really just want to see the end of the day November 4th and at the end of that day I want a win for Obama, whatever you think he stands for. I have my own reasons and hopes and ideas on what that would mean for my country and for my community and for my family. And I actually pray when I see polls and new stories about where the candidates stand that people will come to their senses and vote for Hope.

Crazy Week

Furnace pump went out - $300

Dishwasher motor died - $300

New rental house inspection results - $18000 in repairs and we don't even own the house yet

So frazzled that going to the bathroom today I searched for the button to my pants, wondering if I'd put them on backwards, only to realize I was pulling my pants out far enough and that they were ELASTIC waistband.

Will I make it to the other side of November?!?