In the Last Five Years

In the last five years I have had the opportunity to do some amazing things. I moved to Washington State 5 years ago this week and today is a great day to mark the anniversary of my arrival.

In the last 5 years I -

Ran a half-Marathon.

Went to Paradise (and had a snowball fight while I was there).

Wrote 2 novels - one 50,000+ words, the second 100,000+ words (edits are NOT complete yet).

Got a job.

Got a promotion.

Married off a daughter.

Launched another daughter.

Changed cell phone plans (harder than it sounds.)

Changed cell phone plans again (I got it down this time. I have no FEAR)

Dealt with and defeated the Wicked Witch of Stupid Office Politics and Power Mongering (and I got a better job out of defeating that witch...damn I'm good)

Furnished an apartment exactly as I wanted.

Bought a car for $100 - and I've been driving it for 2+ years now.

Sold my truck for good money while it was still a working vehicle.

I have visited my family every year that I have been here. Sometimes they come to me. And sometimes I go to them.

I was named Women's Division Leader at my "house of worship". That was cool.

Broke my ankle.

Took up skiing again (in that order).

I caught a HUGE salmon!

I pulled clams out of the sand.

I held a starfish and tiptoed through Sand Dollar beds.

I went to a parade of Naked Bicylists (three years in a row - I have photos to prove it).

Went to a professional baseball game.

Went to a professional Football game.

I've let Green Frogs sing me to sleep and wake me up in the morning.

I sang to Calliope music.

I rode a Ferry across the Sound.

I drove over the pass in late winter.

I'm going to keep thinking on this. Maybe add to the list. I've done a lot in the last five years. And in remembering all that has occurred lies a happiness that I cannot deny.

Life is good.

Football RULES!

I don't know if anyone knows this, but it is Packer Day. The Packers play football today. The Green Bay Packers play football today. I don't know who they are playing. That is incidental. The important thing is to wear a Green Bay Packer shirt, a Cheesehead and to have lots and lots of food available from kick-off to glorious finish. I have put a bet on with someone that is rooting for the other team. I will be winning an entire shiny quarter, two-bits. It's big money. Betting makes the game more intense. I understand how one can get carried away with gambling. I'm willing, myself, to put down a few more coins on this game. A sure bet, ya' know.

Thing One and Thing Two and myself started cooking yesterday. At least we started pulling together the ingredients. Guacamole is best fresh. The avocados are perfect ripe this morning. The chicken wings have been defrosted in the refrigerator (as if I know proper defrost procedures - per FDA roll your eyes here.) Some wings will be fried and sauced, Some will be grilled and chowed immediately. Seven layer taco salad. But wait! There's more! There's food for an entire four games. This is almost better than a Thanksgiving spread. I am sorry there is only one game. And then I wonder...can Green Bay play itself for a few games? I would watch that.

I love football. There is no better finale for the season than to see Green Bay Packers in the Super Bowl. I am only sorry it is the last game for the season. What does one do with oneself on a Sunday otherwise?