I've Been Tagged.

Michelle recently tagged me for a meme and asked me pretty please to play, so here goes:

The rules: Posted here at the beginning. The player answers all questions. The player then chooses six people you want to know more about and tags those people by listing their names at the end of the post and going to their blog and leaving a comment, letting them know they've been tagged and asking them to read your blog. Also, you let the person who tagged you know when you've posted your answer.

1. What was I doing 10 years ago? That was a pretty rough time - Ian and I hadn't even been married two years yet and still had a teenager under our roof, and not just any teenager, but a very troubled boy whose friends were in the same boat. I never knew when I was going to get a call from the Sheriff's department and was relieved when he was finally court-ordered into a drug and alcohol treatment program, which he had just finished at this time ten years ago. I had only been spinning a couple of years but found it was great therapy. I enjoy my son so much now, I hardly think of those days and am glad that Reno had a treatment program when we needed it. That program is gone and jail is the substitute. I know a blessing when I see one.

2. What were five things on my to-do list today (not in any particular order)? 1) I need to felt the last three bags I knitted so I can put them in the display case at the library on Thursday - they're in the third cycle through the washing machine right now. 2) I also need to skirt Mickey's fleece so I can get it shipped for processing. I have completely run out of his roving - I had forgotten to send his fleece in last year because I put it in the State Fair. It's still raining so I am deferring that until Wednesday, which means I'll have time to start a new book today. 3) I carded some more Border Leicester so I can finish the bobbin I'm spinning and ply it up. It's white and I want to put it in the indigo dye bath next month, along with two different grey Romney skeins, yet to be spun but *not* today! 4) The first thing after drinking my coffee was to make a fruit salad for breakfast this morning at Mim's. Several of our friends drove out from town and it was such a wonderful visit, short but sweet. I'm lobbying to make it an annual tradition. 5) Start a new book.

3. What snacks do I enjoy? Salty - anything salty; pickles, popcorn, corn or veggie chips, though I'm not really much of a snacker. Years ago when I was a runner, I recognized that one of the secrets to keeping my weight down was to not eat in between meals, so if I do need to snack on my break at work, I tend to make it fruit or veggies, which I have actually come to prefer over time. Lately I've been taking a cold artichoke for my break but that season is just about over, dangit. It's easy to do in the microwave while I'm getting ready for work. I put a little water in a small, deep bowl, then add a splash of lemon juice, a splash of olive oil and a sliced clove of garlic. I cover it with plastic wrap with a vent hole, then nuke it for 7-8 minutes. I only have one left and my mouth is watering, just typing this.

4. Where are some places I've lived? I began in Alaska, then my parents wended their way to San Diego, arriving there when I turned five. They were just looking for a place to live where they could get some sleep since my asthma kept them up at nights, bless their hearts. I moved to Pensacola, Florida as a Marine wife for a year, then spent two in the Philippines, ending up in Applegate, California when Mike got out of the service. We came to Reno when he was accepted at the University, and while I've also lived briefly in Winnemucca and Redding, Reno has pretty much been it since 1975. With three children and four grandchildren also in this area, I'm pretty sure it's going to stay "it."

5. What things would I do if I were a billionaire? Oh boy, I'd pay off the house and car so Ian could retire, buy him a new truck so he could retire his 1994 Toyota, set up trust funds for all seven kids and grandkids, contribute to the educational scholarship that my brother-in-law and his wife developed as well as give to my favorite charities, and then take a long trip since we could afford to hire someone to take care of our animals. Oh, and while the fantasy continues, I'd have a larger area of our property fenced, pay for excavation so we could erect a barn and then fill it with hay. That's why this is called a Meme - it's me, me, me, me....

But 'nuff about me. I'd like to hear from: Robin, Marie, Cindy, Kathy, Leigh and Lee. You are all folks I've "chatted" with from time to time and I'd like the chance to know more about you. I didn't include Valerie since she's at Penland for a couple of weeks, and we probably won't see hide nor hair of her for quite some time, though I am eager for her reports!