Posed by my pal  Jamie Siever of Jamie Siever Photography:

1. What is the worst job you've ever had?

Sears Repair Service, my freshman year of college. It was an endless drab office of cubicles and the shifts were endless shifts of answering phone calls and reading set dialogue to steer customers to schedule their repairs on appliances. Drab. Monotonous. And my supervisor was a witch who hated me and recommended I not be eligible for re-hire after the summer break. At the time, I was so offended... but it was a blessing in disguise. I might have gone back again and again to work there. ICK. 

2. What book are you reading right now?

The Life of Pi, by..... ? Forget. I am not getting into it yet, though. Will it get more gripping? Anyone?

3. Keep in touch with a bunch of friends from high school (other than on Facebook) or just a few?

One very best friend from high school, and a really only one other, if I can't count Facebook.

4. What is your favorite vacation spot?

Italy, Italy, Italy...... Ahhhhhhhhhh!! I ACHE to go back!

5. What did you want to be when you grew up as a kid?

A rock singer, or a teacher. 

6. When you text, do you write out You or do you use U?

Both. Honestly, I really do switch between both. No reason.

7. What is the last thing you did out of your comfort zone?

Wide-awake surgery. Or maybe allowing people to keep helping me, when I feel I should be better by now... (Thanks, beloved friends!)

8. What is something you are really good at?

Singing. I miss using it like you wouldn't believe. For now, though, Noah gets the full force of it. He's my lone audience member. :)

9. What is something that you see as something you need to work on/not a strength? 

Routines. Specifically in regards to chores, financials, scripture study... I get things done, but there's no consistent SYSTEM, and I think life could only improve if I had a better rhythm and routine for these things. 

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So I am sorry for being so M.I.A.! You can probably guess, but it's just been a time of maintaining my little life as much as I can, despite little improvement in my physical health. The pain ebbs and flows, I have great days and crippling days... And I've been realizing that as much as I thought I knew how to simplify, this era has taught me how much more I can afford to let go of and still function... That truly RESTING, and SLOWING DOWN so I can heal, means letting go of fun things, too... Like outings, like art time with Noah... Like blogging. Even dashing to the store for a Redbox movie to veg to... I have to let that go, too, because even small errands cost a lot, physically. So. For now, I am hunkering down. We're in survival mode. And I am learning to love even THIS version of life. The calm of sitting in my now-infamous spot on the couch, under my Katie-quilt... The letting go to nap more... The treats I can enjoy when I am finally hungry. The smell of our Christmas tree, something I am delighted we managed to accomplish, even in this "new normal". Cheap novels, read a little here and a little there... hot baths. Christmas music. I look forward, even more now, to Joe coming home each day... A breath of fresh air from a day that really wasn't very interesting. Day after day. 

I feel badly for Noah--- maybe he is bored? 

But he seems okay. Somehow. He plays, we laugh, we read lots of books... He watches too many Mickey Mouse Clubhouse reruns some days... but we seem okay. He gets excited at even the smallest things, so I try to do SOMETHING every day to see him light up... Bring out the Play-Doh, resurrect an old toy, let him have a marshmallow for dessert... 

And we carry on. 

My in-laws come next week. I cannot WAIT. I know Noah will thrive under their attention, and they will get him back to the adventures we were having before--- the Magic House, the train exhibit at the Botanical Gardens... Fun things for him to do. I am excited to have company while I sit on this couch. I am excited for my mama-in-law to help me do some Christmas baking... Some present wrapping. I am excited for her foot rubs. It feels like when they arrive, Christmas will really be coming.

So. 

We carry on. And all is well. :)

I have some random photos to post. Maybe tomorrow? Sunday? I'll try not to be gone so long again.

Flashback Post: Remember This Survey?

{Photo from October, 2008}

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I just got a random comment from some Russian blogger on THIS post. October 21, 2008. 1.5 years ago.

I don't know that person who commented. I'm not even sure it was a legit comment. Maybe it was spammy? But regardless, it made me click back to that post and check it out.... To see why someone would find it years later.

And ya know what? It was a jolly good read! Fascinating to see how little has changed since then... And what HAS changed. So, for fun, I am going to repost this survey in it's original form... But then I'm going to add/change things that apply to today... Kind of a "Where Are They Now" thing.

Maybe the will bore the HECK outta you... But it's going to be fun for me, so neener neener. And If you've not done this one yourself, go do it! Then tell me so I can go read. I love this stuff!
(Thanks, Morris5, for the flashback! This is all YOUR fault!)

So. Original post will be in black... and my July 2010 edits will be in GREEN.

Here we go!

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Ten Things I Wish I Could Say to Ten Different People Right Now:

2010 list--
1. Thank you for all you did, all those years, even with all of us. I am only a fraction as busy as you, and I can't fathom how you did it, and so well.
2. I wanna make out with you in a movie theater. Let's choose a lame movie soon and go smooch.
3. I'm trying to be patient, but... the yearning is sorta getting painful.
4. I wish I was coming, too, so we could hang out for three days straight and catch up and play.
5. I wanna be loved like that, too...
6. You have become a deeper, richer, better, more amazing friend year after year. I love seeing us grow.
7. A thank you would be nice, ya know??
8. Two doughnuts and a chocolate milk, please! Stat!
9. You don't even begin to understand how happy you make me, or how incredible you are to me.
10. I'm sorry I'm not the person I know I have in me. I'm so unworthy of your forgiveness and of all these blessings. But I'm trying. Not hard enough, but it's a start.

2008
1. I remember you. Always would have. Be at peace.
2. You're my favorite and all of it was perfect.
3. I'm sorry. I'd love to know you now, and see if you're still brilliantly witty.
4. You're more patient with me than I deserve.
5. You are angry and unpleasant and I don't miss our friendship.
6. I'll try to be more sweet tomorrow-- because you're not trying to push my buttons.
7. We might need more than one year.
8. Thank goodness you never asked me out!!
9. I'll have a turkey reuben, 10-inch, with a soda, please.
10. You are appallingly thankless, and I don't care if we ever talk again.

Nine Things About Myself:
This list is totally still relevant! Cool!
1. I sleep with my feet poking out of the blankets and sheets. (Sleeping bags drive me NUTS.)
2. I was a singer in a former life.... symphony, choirs, solos, lessons, the whole bit. Now, Noah is my main audience.
3. I start a LOT of things I don't finish. I'm trying to get better.
4. My favorite animal is a humpback whale, and has been since 4th grade. Because they sing.
5. I am a better mom than I thought I'd be.
6. I LOVE sleep and sugar-- my two vices.
7. I spend waaay too much time at this computer.
8. I am content in my attic, and don't need my own house anytime soon. The only things I would like that moving offers is a space to create art, and new couches.
Still content in Kate's house--- still want new couches.
9. I am trying to maximize my October this year-- getting outside each day, enjoying Fall-y flavors and activities.... Just soaking it all in. LOVE this season.
Ooh, DANG this made me crave Fall. Dang dang dang. LOVE that season!!

Eight Ways to Win My Heart:
Oh these are ALL still true. And made me happy to read...
1. Bring me a cupcake or cookie.
2. Make me a mix CD.
3. Listen to my rambling and philosophizing and ramble and philosophize back.
4. Show some vulnerability.
5. Make me laugh.
6. Don't make me feel stupid.
7. Go to a fair/festival/antique shop/thrift store/historical town with me.
8. Give me unexpected little things-- notes, treats, hugs, etc.

Seven Things That Cross My Mind a Lot:
gonna redo this without checking my 2008 answers first--
1. Will we have enough money?
2. Is Noah happy? Being stimulated? Learning to be a good person?
3. What else have I forgotten?
4. What needs to be done that still hasn't gotten done?
5. Ways to improve my shooting and business. This crap sneaks in ALL THE TIME.
6. I am not happy with how I look these days.
7. How can I support Joe and make his life easier?
8. How do I balance it all?
9. When's it my turn?
10. Why am I so undisciplined in all of it?

2008
1. Noah's well-being
2. Joe's well-being
3. Sleep and when/how to get it, or if I haven't gotten it...
4. Photography needs/client needs/work stuff
5. Keeping my home in shape
6. Creative little ideas... and guilt about not completing them
7. Gratitude, and reminders to be grateful.

Oh, oops. I did ten. And I think I am even more anxious and frenzied now than I was two years ago. That is SAD. I need to change something.

Six Things I Do Before I Fall Asleep:
1. Check my list of online haunts
2. Go to the bathroom
3. Crawl in bed under the comforter and adjust my top pillow
4. Check Twitter on my phone
5. Play solitaire on my phone (I now read novels, or play on the iTouch.)
6. Roll over a couple of times

Five People Who Mean a Lot:
1. Joe
2. Noah
3. Beckie
4. Mel & Stef
5. Gen
Yeah.. that's about right. Let me add:
Mom and Dad, Katie, Misty... Among others. Sisters, bro...

Four Things I'm Wearing Right Now:
1. black fleece lounge pants
2. brown ponytail holder
3. white undershirt
4. my "Onward" stamped typewriter key necklace.

Swap workout pants for fleece pants, take away the ponytail holder and necklace, and yeah... that's still the same. LAME!

Three Songs I Listen to a Lot: [at the moment]
1. Elizabeth Mitchell's "Little Bird"
2. Rachel Yamagata's "Elephant"
3. Wicked's "No Good Deed Goes Unpunished"

1. "Hallelujah" by Handel, cause Noah LOVES it.
2. Glee songs
3. Bluegrass mix-- soothes my soul

Two Things I Want to Do Before I Die:
1. Go back to Italy
2. Own a farmhouse

AMEN!!
This made me bowl over with natsukashii just now...

One Confession:
1. I ate mini candy bars, a cupcake, some caramels, and some chocolate cake today. Among other, non-dessert foods. Seriously-- I have a sugar addiction.

Ha! That's funny.. I am taking a week off of sugar this week. I'm on day three. it STINKS. I'd give anything for a big slab of cake with store-made frosting on it. And sugar sprinkles. With a tall glass of cold milk.

Okay.... that's all folks.... I should get back to the laundry/chores/mommy time/wife time...

Now it's your turn! I wanna read some of yours!