16 Things

1. I was adopted as an infant and have a good relationship with my biological parents.

2. My momma and daddy are older than most parents of people my age; I have a brother 11 years older than me.

3. I have three tattoos.

4. There are only four states in the US to which I have not been: Alaska, Oregon, Delaware, and Vermont.

5. I travel quite a bit for work and take Hampton, my teddy bear with me on all trips.

6. My first job was making Hawaiian Shaved Ice in a sno cone shack.

7. I want to be a vegetarian, but CRAVE bacon and steak.

8. I am convinced that my dog is best.

9. Sometimes I feel guilty for not being a mother to Jarred when he was a youngster, even though he was 14 before I even met his dad and him.

10. My relationship with food is unhealthy, both physically and mentally.

11. I am a pacifist in love with a card carrying member of the NRA.

12. I work full-time, travel, and am a graduate student.

13. Owning a little gift shop with an art studio and not needing to actually sell anything is my dream. (Would having it in Amsterdam be too much to ask?)

14. Traveling the US in an RV for a couple of years is something Bill and I would like to do together.

15. Everyday, I miss teaching.

16. I journal, blog, twitter, twitpic, and digitize recipes, pics etc. to record for myself and future generations my own history. (Like in "The Notebook")

Assessment Nerd Fun

As an individual in the field of assessment, I have seen some funny things. Most folks have seen this-



Well yesterday, Liz Compton and I were exhausted from long workdays and preparing to leave the ID SDE offices at 5:00pm instead of 7:00pm as we had done on previous days. She was just clicking through her email one last time and got a "forward" from her sister. Since I am not one who forwards, I'll post these tidbits that made me laugh. The last one is my favorite.

Best Shoes Ever

I have the good fortune of owning the best shoes ever:

Onesole offers 6 different soles. I own the Leisure sole in black. It is a comfy shoe, and the very best part is that there are these little snaps on the side. The tops are exchangeable! So when I travel, it is one sole and multiple tops. Next on my list is the cork version.

My other favorite shoe find has to be Switch Flops. These follow the same premise as Onesoles, but are cute flip flops that use Velcro, ribbon, and well chosen buttons to cover a seam. These are the most comfortable shoes I own, and perfect for San Antonio year round.

Things I want from SkyMall

I saw these things in the Sky Mall catalog today.
I want them.

Abstract Metal Wall Art This piece is 36"x 2.5"x 21" and might just be the perfect thing for the entryway of the RDR.

Recycling Bins I think it is time we move up to actual bins, and not storage containers with cruddy permanent marker labeling them "Recycling."

This Energy Meter is likely to have the same effect on our use of appliances as the Avalanche's constant monitoring of MPG. We conserve!

I love my iPhone, but really really really hate its battery life. I wonder if this Backup Battery from Richard Solo might do the trick.