Friday Five-with a twist-5 things I would do if I won the lottery.

Good Afternoon. So here I sit just a few hours away from the biggest lottery in history. So I figured instead of doing my typical five questions. I wanted to do something that revolved around it. Since come on its not every day that the stakes are $640 million dollars. Now keep in mind the first things I would actually do is hire a good lawyer, and a financial person to help me be smart about the whole thing. But lets have some fun here. These five things are meant to be fun, I know I can save, I know I probably would. I know I would give to charity, and pay off a lot of stuff that I need to. I would probably share with family. . But what about the fun things? After everything was said and done, invested and saved. What five things would I want to do with that money?? So here they are the five random things I would love to do/buy wit the money from my winnings:

1. Buy a boat

 Call me crazy. I have always had this big dream of buying a boat and just sailing. From Boston Mass to the coasts of FL. Since they are my two favorite places. And since I have all this money, I would be able to hire people to actually take care of it for me-dreaming remember here-help me maintain this incredible boat that I want to get. I would sail to Boston in the summer and spend my winters down in FL. Sounds like a rather fabulous time if I do say so myself.

2. Buy a house

Or two. Maybe a getaway down in FL to relax and all. I would also get a house, not a townhouse but a house that Andy and I could really call our dream house. In all truth it doesn't have to be the grandest of things. I don't know if I would truly want a McMansion but a house that we could live in without having to worry about would be nice. And clean new carpets are dif. in order.


3. Drive up and down A1A

When I was 19 I had this dream. It was just me in a white convertible. The top was down and I was just driving. At the time I didn't even know how to drive. But ever since then it has been a dream of mine to do this. I think I just may be able to afford to do this finally.

4. Take my dad to a Super Bowl

Especially if was to be played at Tampa's stadium. He mentioned how incredible it would to be able to go to just one Super Bowl, and he loves the stadium even if he has never been there in person. So I want to make my dads wish-which in truth probably isn't a wish any more-come true. And lets not forget how incredible of a daddy daughter moment that would be. We haven't had one of those in a good long while. Its long overdue.

5. Buy a horse.

I have always wanted a horse. My little sister promised she would buy me one when she became that big fancy lawyer, I am still waiting. But if I won the lottery, I could buy me my own horse. Take me some lessons and enjoy riding once again. It has been way to long since I have been on a horse...

 So yes there you have it: Buy me a horse and just ride along the beaches of Florida, while watching my boat sail, waving to my family in my new beach house who have just gotten home from the super bowl.

Dream on my friends dream on. And may the best of luck be with you.

One tequlia two tequila, floor...

Hillary on the way to the game.

Sometimes the outcome of the game doesn't matter. Sometimes that is not whats important.

Case in point Last night

Its a rare occasion when my sister, her boyfriend, my mom and myself-and my aunt who happened to be there as well-all end up at a game together. And yet last night we all somehow or another found ourselves all heading down to the game.

I will spare you with the agony of the game, because lets face it, if you are a Caps fan, the game was not one to be remembered. In fact its one I would rather soon forget. One of those games that just seems to drag on and on. And I watched the final few seconds of the game I just about dreaded that ride home. I was sure I would have to hear my sisters boyfriend complain about this and that, my mom would insist on turning on the radio and listen to the commentator, something I shun away from at all costs. And I didn't know what to expect out of my sister to be honest. And lets not even get into the whole what would my husband think thoughts running through my head. Because lord knows it wasn't going to be pretty that was for sure.

So there we were, four disappointed Caps fans sitting among even more disappointed Caps fans. But every sad disappointed act, must have its counter comedy act. And so does this one. For amongst the disappointed rose a very drunk sister who decided for everyone's best interest, it was time to liven things up. And liven things up she did.

To be honest, it started with my mom who proceeded to get the show on the road the moment we pulled out of the parking lot. Dressed in Caps gear, she rolled her window down, and yelled. 'Way to go Sabres (to which I wondered when she switched allegiances to) and then told them to not get to comfy. When the group beside us looked at us, she said. 'Hey its not over til the fat lady sings, and I am the fat lady.' 

Now I knew my sister had been drinking, but I would soon learn that no, she wasn't or hadn't just a drink, she was actually kind of drunk, and decided this was the best time to get into this whole window yelling thing. And so as we made our way through the DC streets and for the next fifteen minutes my sister, in her drunken state of mind decided to become, lets say friendly with the DC natives.

And while I can not, and will not post every thing she blurted out that window, I will however post just a few. And because this is a post and in the effort to not offend anyone, I will try to post some of the tamer ones.

'Hey, you. Do you want a hot dog?? Yeah you I am talking to you.'

'Stick and land boys, stick and land'

'Oh look its the White house security...hello there, that guy back there can give you a hot dog.'

'Oh look its the cops, act white people....time to act white.'

'What this neighborhood?? Dude I am white, its not like anyone's going to shoot me. Besides no one gets shot on this street.'

'Looking good in your suits, looking good.'

'Hey white girl, yeah I called you white.'

I realize my sister was enjoying herself, and she was quite plastered. Even if I was praying at this point to make it out of DC alive. Because yes, I was pretty sure someone was going to be following us, and beat the living day lights out of us. Any minute.

No one did of course, and we managed to get out of DC with all four of us still intact.

We of course were still disappointed. But by the time we hit the VA state line, I am pretty sure at least one of us could have cared a whole lot less. And all of us admitted how much of a great time it was, though we didn't know what was more entertaining, the game or my drunk sister.

And maybe, at times that's all that matters.

On pens and needles.

Game day. Almost the final one of the season.

And I am nervous.

I have this uneasy feeling at the bottom of my stomach. As though this game determines our fate in regards to the rest of the season. As if whomever wins tonight will claim that final spot in the playoffs.

And it comes down to this, either them or us. Dear lord I hope its us.

Its funny if you asked me in the beginning of the season if I thought we would be fighting for the last spot in the playoffs I would have laughed you right into the water. After all, we were the team that started 7-0, we were predicted to take the Cup. There was no way in hell we would blow it this year.

Funny how things change isn't it?

Just about six months later and we are barely in the playoffs, with the possibility of not making it entirely. How the hell did this happen? Granted its not the last game of the season, and there are still a couple of points to pick up, not its not the end all to be all. But the way things are going, it may as well be. After all, the Sabres-who are tonight's opponents- are tied with us. We win we get the two points, they win they do. And with those two points they find themselves in that 8th spot solid. A commentator went on to say whomever wins this game will more in likely be the team to go onto the playoffs. The other will probably be playing golf in two weeks time.

I am still unsure if I agree with him or not. But I will admit that, yes a lot is riding on this game.

I would like to say I am totally confident that we will win tonight. But this would be a lie. My nerves are getting the better of me this afternoon and I wonder if I will truly make it through the entire game without hiding inside the comforts of my hoodie.  Because its safe in there, because if I hide in there, then maybe I won't have to watch the painful seconds slip by.

I just want a good game. I tell myself I would be happy with a good game. But I know this won't do. we don't need just a good game. We need a great game. A win, just squeaking by won't do anymore. A tie won't do anymore. What we need, are those two points. We need Ovi on fire, we need Holtby to be amazing...and we need the team to actually show up and play as though they want this, as though...

Their season depended on it.

You can call my Selfish.

Its just after two on a lazy Sunday afternoon. Its game day, which means Andy has taken off and won't be back til late tonight. There are a million things we need to do, cleaning the house and laundry being the most important things. And there are a million things I would rather be doing, getting ready for my sisters bridal shower next weekend. Shopping and spending time with little man as a family.

And while I love the sport and I know its my husbands dream job. There are moments, much like the one I am having where I want to be selfish, and I want to tell him not to go in and I want to have my family, be a family. To be able to not worry if there is a game or games. I want to be able to sit around on a lazy Sunday and not have to worry that if we need to get anything done that it has to be done and we have to be home by twelve in the afternoon in order for him to have enough time to get ready.

Yes I realize this makes me sound like an incredible selfish person because I often at times don't want to share my husband with the sport he loves so much. Its a battle I struggle with for the better part of the season. I admit at times I feel if given the choice he would pick the sport over the family in a heartbeat. And I know these feelings often arise more towards the end of the season. When the routine of it all really begins to take its toll. When it was just Andy and I, long before we had little man it was in fact quite a lot easier. I would find time to spend with friends, go to the games myself or have the ability to clean without feeling as though what I just picked up would automatically be pulled back out in two seconds. And I didn't so much mind the fact that he was forever away.

But sometimes things change. We had always spoken of the possibility of leaving the Caps, in fact with every end of the season he starts his whole maybe I should leave, Logan is getting older, I want to be around more, speech. Its a speech I have heard several times as part of his hockey PMS he gets....and every year he finds an excuse not to leave. The thought of a Stanley Cup ring being one of them.  Its repeated so many times, I have learned to take it with a grain of salt, shrug it off and know that for us, this is the life....One that my son and I should get used to.

Don't get me wrong I love having my son to myself. The time I spend with him is precious and I realize one of these days he will want nothing to do with me. I get this. But there are moments when I look at him and I see things that my husband has missed. I hear things while he is gone that at times shouldn't be repeated. And as much as I love my son and the time we spend, I know how important it is that he have his daddy in his life.

Which is exactly why I want to be selfish, and have the husband with us. Please forgive.

Friday Five 3/23-Music love

Hello my friends, and welcome to another week of the Friday Five. Its been a week since I did this, after being away on travel...believe it or not I missed it. So its back. Here is this weeks Friday five, this weeks theme: Music.

1. How often do you listen to music?

The better question should be when am I not?
I pretty much eat sleep breath music-well that and hockey-I am constantly living off my Ipod at work, and without it, I don't know what I would do. If its not at work, then I am listening to it in the car, in the house. Probably prefer music over television...obsessed. Yes possibly.

2. Do you ever listen to the radio? Whats your favorite station?

My husband and I got into the habit of turning on the radio when we carpool in the morning, usually its on 99.5 (hot) here in DC. If the son is in the car we try to go a safer route to an adult contemporary which has a little safer song selection for a three year old. If its just me, I have a country station on from time to time. If I am in my own car, I have the 90s on XM on constantly, that or my Ipod but we are talking about radio stations....

3. How do you find new songs, albums or artists to listen to?

Funny while on vacation I discovered some artists that were really good. I came back home hoping that they would be available on Itunes, sadly they have yet to hit America yet so I will have to wait. I did find visiting a new country brings out some really cool discovers, besides the tourism aspect...other than that, I try to be on the lookout for new artists from word of mouth or the free stuff Itunes offers from time to time.

4. When was the last time you bought an album? A digital music file?

Last CD, was a Kids Bop I bought for my son, at three he pretty much thought it was the greatest thing ever. Its the small things in life that I miss.  As for digital music file, I loaded up on new music before my trip bought Mumford and Sons, and Jessie J...yes quite a difference in the two...

5. Do you think any of the technologies and distribution methods mentioned above will still be around in ten years? Why or why not?

Pretty sure the digital music age isn't going to be leaving us any time soon, but as for CDs? Yeah I have a funny feeling they are on their way out. Just times change, and so does systems. Most computers and cars don't even have players in them anymore...


And there you have it, my Friday five. May you all have a fabulous weekend. I hope to get to some thoughts about overseas before to long....

Wordless Wednesday

Trip report???

After months of long waiting, planning, packing and saving its hard to believe that I write this back on U.S. soil, the trip that we had for long thought would never arrive has come and gone. And for the past couple of days now as I try to readjust to the time difference, catch up on work and spend time with the son I left behind I have tried to figure the best way to write about my European adventure. You would think this would be rather easy. I mean I have so much to say, I experienced so much. So why wouldn't it? But here in lies the issue, I almost have to much to talk about. I don't want, nor feel the need to discuss every single moment, and every single aspect of my 9 days overseas. And yet I feel as though without sharing some of the stories, I would be leaving thousands of thoughts, experiences that I had so hard tried to remember.

And then there are the pictures. I have spent hours shifting through picture after picture, each with its own story in themselves. Some of course are better than others, some more artsy and some are just plan horrible. But I want to share a lot of them with everyone. Do I perhaps just do a picture report?? I am pretty sure people would be thrilled at this alone.

So of course this leads me to my issue how do I best do a trip report. Individual days? By countries? By people? By??? This may require another day of thinking while jotting down notes here and there. Until then, this is just about as close as you will get to getting a report from me. And yes I do realize this is sort of a sorry ass excuse for one. But at the moment playing catch up seems to be consuming most of my time...that and my son who I missed more than anyone can imagine.

But believe me there will be stories to be shared. And pictures to be amazed...

I am back!!!

Yes that's right, I am back. I have tons of stories, thousands of pictures and plenty of thoughts regarding the vacation. Which was pretty incredible. I am still debating on whether I should post, and what I should post..Thoughts, pictures a full report....But for now I will say its good to be home, and I can't wait to get back to my blogging ways...

Shall I....or shall I not?

Five Question Friday -3/9-March Madness

 

So its time for another round of Five Questions. I am pre-writting this since I will be on travel. I also stole this from a blog posted a year ago....Enjoy. Have fun and happy travels. This weeks theme is March Madness.

1. When did you last have occasion to march anywhere?  

 Last weekend, with my son, we decided to have a good marching around the living room session. I am sure if you looked in the windows of our home you would have caught us doing this. It was believe it or not really fun...


2. What kind of hula-hooper are you?



A pretty good one actually. I am quite talented in the hula-hopper area. And its great exercise! I recommend it to anyone.


3. What kind of madness is most likely to infect you this weekend?



I am currently in Germany on travel, we take off tomorrow to head to Paris, so I am assuming the travel madness will be hitting me while we are away.

Under what circumstances this past week might you have had reason to shout, “SCORE!”

Um went to the Caps game on Tuesday, where my favorite hockey player scored to tie the game up. Yeah I am pretty sure I yelled score and cheered at the top of my lungs on that one...


When did you last inadvertently dribble, drool, or otherwise let liquid escape your mouth while trying to keep it in?

No clue, maybe when I was asleep....really I don't know.

And we are off! Hiatus.

So by now many know I will be heading out on holiday for the next little while. I am leaving on an overnight flight tonight and won't return til St. Pattys Day. Which means I will leave you all for the next little while in blogsaphere. I am sure I will be missed. But no worries, I shall return to bring you my European adventures, stories and pictures of my week away.

I have however scheduled my Friday Five, for tomorrow and will hope to post at least an update throughout my trip. Though no guarantees are in order so just bare with me while I enjoy some much needed time away.

Safe travels, have a fabulous week and I shall see you all on the flip side!!

Thanks, but no thanks.

Its been a week just about since I interviewed. A week in which I haven't heard anything. Judging by the fact they had informed me should I move on to the next round I would hear something early this week, its looking like I won't be hearing anything.

In all honesty I was expecting it. I mean my interview didn't go as well as I hoped. I could have said a lot of things better. I could have answered a hell of a lot better than I did. I let myself down in that way. Even if this wasn't exactly my dream job, I wish I could have answered it, handled them a lot better than I did.

So yes this wasn't my dream job. But I think what appealed to me, what made me want at least a call back is the fact that for me, I wan to feel like I am wanted. Needed. I hate the thought that I am not even really truly wanted anywhere...and they sounded like for a moment they really truly wanted me.

I was the one to screw it up.

Six months ago, it was the same sort of thing when I interviewed with the local school county. I look back, and how pissed I was that I didn't get a second shot. How heartbroken I truly was. And while I am disappointed in the fact this didn't go the way I hoped. I do not feel the same sort of feeling I did back then. At least that is o step in the right direction.


But here's the thing. While it would have been nice to have heard back from them saying they would like me to move on further, it would have been nice to hear a thank you but no thank you call as well. Even an email would have appeased me. Because well, it would have been. I know things didn't go right for me. And I get this. I recognize my mistake. But if you want to come across as professional, I would like to think that you are professional enough to say no. Because while this opportunity may not be for me, what if a year from now something is? Shouldn't they be impressing me as well?

2 days to go.

Two days to go.

We started packing last night, and surprisingly got rather far. A shocker to my husband. At this point we just find ourselves wanting it to start. Work seems to be getting harder to focus on and the more time that we have on our hands the more time we seem to have to worry about things.

We have packed most of Logan's things he will need for the stay at both grandparents house, and I feel a tiny bit guilty that he has no clue that after tomorrow night we won't see him for ten days. I try to tell myself he will be ok with this, its his mommy that its going to have a hard time.

Andy works tonight, the last game he will before the trip and tomorrow we plan to make our final push of packing, the last minute gets and the toys that need to placed in the back of the car.

This is so surreal. The knowledge that I am going on a trip many will never get to do, I myself never thought I would get to do in a lifetime.

Two days.....

Pretty sure they are going to be long days....

Its prep time.

Perhaps I haven't mentioned this. But my husband and I are now  just about three and a half days away from heading over to Europe.

Thats right, three and a half days. Eeekkkk..

I say eek, because I sit here, surrounded by a pile of laundry, all of which have been done-thanks in part to my husband-and a suitcase that is currently staring at me. It needs to get packed.

I need to get packed.

For so long this trip, which in part is to see my brother in law and sister in law has seemed so far away. After all its a year in the making. We cancelled it once and reset a new date, to this Thursday.

I have never been overseas. Its not something I have been dying to do. I don't measure my life by the fact that I have traveled here there and everywhere. Most know that I am happy going to my Disneyworld year after year. I am happy going to Boston, and NY, and down in NC. If I never traveled overseas I think I would be fine.

And since I have never been to anxious to travel overseas, I don't know what to expect. Except the fact its going to be a long flight, its going to rain and I won't know half of what they are telling me.

I still need to pack.

I am told to pack for every sort of weather, and to expect the unexpected. To make sure I don't talk to strangers, not to carry a purse. To make sure I drink the wine, and to be polite. I have a thousand things on my must remember to do list. And yet I can't remember half of them.

Do I have my passport??? Socks? Underwear.

I try to remind myself this is just a normal vacation. Not to freak. But its not a normal. Its not like I can just call up my mom and dad if I lose something, or hit up a Wal-Mart if I forgot something.

And don't get me started on the whole flying thing. Its not that I hate to fly. But this is an 8 flight....Thats a hell of a difference than just the 2 hours down to Florida. And its international. What if...what if..

I dont want to  think of the what if...

I need to pack...

3 and a half days will be here before I know it.

Five Question Friday-Growing Up

Happy Friday to one and all! Once again its that magical time of the week, were I get to bore you-or not so perhaps-with five questions...this weeks theme: Growing up.

How many schools (up until college) have you attended, in all?
 
I attended four different elementary schools, a junior high and a high school. Which would bring the total to 6... I switched elementary schools so many times due to the fact that back then, only certain schools had Special Ed programs, or disability classes so I had to go where they were being offered. By the time they got to JR high and high school, they realized I was actually capable of learning in a normal environment-gee who would have thunk?- and then there was the whole inclusion and mainstreaming push back then. So I didn't have to worry about it by then.

How many states have you lived in before the age of 18? How many countries?

Kind of boring here, I have lived in one state, and one country my entire life. I fact I still live in the same suburb of DC that I grew up in. My childhood home is just around the corner.

Have you ever seen the hospital where you were born -- where is it/what's it's name?


But of course. My son was born in the same hospital I was.  Fairfax Hospital..In Fairfax County VA.

Do you plan to live in the same state in which you were born, or somewhere else?


Pretty sure I just answered this above, but yes obviously I do. I actually really enjoy the fact that I am from the area, and I love the little 'town' that I live in. And so does my husband apparently who agreed to move out to my neck of the woods shortly after we got engaged.

Do you still talk to people from elementary school, middle-school or high school?

Yes. I sure do. Thank you Facebook. Not only do I still talk to them but on occassion I still get together with them as well...

And now, you know the rest of the story.
Have a fabulous weekend!

Decisions.

Ever wonder if your making the right decisions?  I know for the most part, no one really knows if what they decide to do really is the right one or not. But surely I am not the only one that finds themselves thinking about this.

Right before I came back on leave I applied to a couple of jobs. I knew I had a job to come back to, but the two hour plus commute was beginning to get to me. And the fact that they kept complaining about funding, and lack of it. Lets just say when I left prior to my surgery I really wasn't getting the 'We can't wait for you to come back' sort of vibes. And so I started looking. I found a couple at my University, and thought well hmm.  For the most part the jobs where nothing fancy, they were your administrative and office jobs. Which yeah OK, isn't the greatest. But hey I am doing the same thing down in DC, so why not. And its not like I wouldn't know what I would be doing if for some chance I was even considered for the job. I mean they pay for education, they pay for insurance. And the college is about a fifteen minute drive. Pretty nice right about now. I submitted my application and left it not thinking to much about any of it.

Until last week. When I got the call back that they wanted to interview me. I sat there stunned, as they said I was one of their top candidates and that they were pretty much willing to see me whenever. I tried to laugh this off saying they probably tell this to every candidate. Its a recruiters scheme I am sure. Still I set up a time, and looked forward to the oppurtunity.

I returned to my cube where I sat for 8 hours doing nothing. I admit its horrible to know. But lately there apparently hasn't been a whole lot of work at all. I sat in for receptionist as they went on lunch breaks and afternoon breaks. I did a few minor things here and there. But for the most part, they were five minute tasks and it was back to sitting and staring at the computer. My boss hadn't spoken a whole lot to me since my return made sure I had different charge numbers. I did. That was about the extent he has said to me.

I thought about the opportunity, the interview that was then a week away and thought, well if I was busy then it wouldn't be so bad.

But of course it never fails. As I came into work yesterday, there was actually work for me. Actual work. Not just staring at the computer all day, but true work. And I thought, this is what I want. This is why I was looking. And for a minute I thought, shit am I doing the right thing? Is this the right thing? I mean I have a job, the pay is decent. There really is no need for me to look is there? Especially now that they have work for me to do. Sure it was only a spur of the moment sort of thing, and before I know it I will be back to staring at the wall.

Am I doing the right thing by looking? By interviewing? Suddenly I didn't know. As I hear one by one the support staff is leaving for other things, and I am beginning to fill in the empty holes they left behind. Couldn't something be opening up?

But at this point do I even want it to?