101 Things to know about me....

I'm going to Mildenhall, England next week for two weeks to visit my sister, so I'd thought I'd put this list of 101 things to know about me while I'm gone. If you have any suggestions of what I should see in London, please let me know, I'd love to hear about your experiences!

101 Things to Know about Annette

1. I love summer.
2. Which means I love to be around water.
3. And I'm not picky about what body of water, but especially love the ocean, but I'm just as happy if I'm in a pool or a lake or river.
4. I learned to love the water when we lived in Florida from 1968-1970.
5. I've lived overseas because my Dad was in the Navy.
6. Asmara, Ethiopia to be exact.
7. I learned to water ski, sail, scuba dive, and snorkel in the Red Sea.
8. I still keep in contact w/3 of my friends from Asmara, thanks to the internet (I lived there over 33 years ago).
9. I'm a shopaholic.
10. I love jewelry, clothes, purses and sandals.
11. This addiction has gotten worse as I've gotten older and I'm becoming a label whore.
12. Although......I can wear costume jewelry or the real thing - as long as I have lots of it on me.
13. If there was one actor I could meet (and shag) it'd be Edgar Ramirez.
14. I have never been so smitten by an actor while watching a movie, the way he smit me watching Domino.
15. I'm initially attracted to bad boys, but since I'm older and wiser, I've been going more for the good guys.
16. I've really enjoyed drinking wine in the past couple of years.
17. Initially it was blushes and whites, but now I've graduated to reds.
18. When I go out drinking w/the girls, I usually drink gin and seven.
19. I miss having sex!
20. I'll have been separated and divorced from my ex, 10 years in May.
21. We had two beautiful sons together.
22. My sons are the lights of my life.
23. They complete me.
24. I love chocolate - especially dark.
25. Cheese, chocolate and chips are my downfall.
26. My favorite food is pepperoni & jalapeño pizza.
27. But if I had to choose my last meal, I'd choose steak, bake potato and salad w/blue cheese dressing.
28. My favorite home made meal is lasagna.
29. I can be a procrastinator
30. My hardest b-day was my 30th.
31. I love to laugh.
32. My girlfriends from high school make me laugh hardest.
33. The toes on my blog are their toes - Gina (Lucy), Karen (Fag), Vic (Dogology) and me on top!
34. I named this blog popsicle toes after a song by Michael Franks (the Art of Tea).
35. My ex used to call me popsicle toes since he'd let me warm them up every night under his.
36. I miss that about him.
37. Lips on a man are the sexiest thing about them - then hands.
38. Coffee is the nectar of the gods!
39. I hate to talk to anyone before I've had it in the morning.
40. And it's not because I'm in a bad mood either, it's just I need a kick start.
41. Half & half only - no skim, no non-dairy creamer . . . w/lots of sugar - no splenda, no equal and no saccharine!
42. 42 has always been one of my favorite numbers because of my first love Harry Cash - his football jersey number.
43. My favorite time of day is after I've washed my face, brushed my teeth, gotten my water and slip into the covers.
44. I love my bed and thank God for how good it feels all the time.
45. I'm a sucker for email surveys.
46. I'm amazed at how addicted I've become to blogging and reading other's blogs.
47. I haven't told any of my immediate family members about my blog.
48. Partly because I want to write about them ;-) and not have them respond.
49. My sisters and brother are beautiful, crazy and annoying all in the same package.
50. How am I going to make it to 101??
51. As if you didn't know by now, I'm a Steeler fan.
52. Meeting Jerome Bettis and Heniz Ward have been one of the highlights of my life.
53. I'm OCD about my checkbook balance.
54. I balance to the penny at least 3 times a week.
55. And it's not like there's much there.
56. I traded my 2002 beetle last November and bought a Mazda 3.
57. I speed way too much in this car.
58. I think I'm one of the best drivers on the road :).
59. I drive my friends (from work) to lunch just about every day, because they drive like old ladies.
60. They say I scare them - that's 'cause they drive like old ladies.
61. I love pedicures and get one at least every third week.
62. I don't dye my brownish black hair and now it's turning silver (doesn't that sound better than grey).
63. I'm addicted to Avon's dew kiss lip gloss (if it's considered gloss).
64. I could never be on Survivor because I would need my dew kiss and my toothbrush.
65. I floss just about every day.
66. I have over 100 pictures in my office of my family and friends (some in frames, some in collages, but mostly just posted up by pins).
67. I just bought new dishes - olive green, terracotta, gold and eggplant.
68. Since Dogology bought me martini glasses for my 46th b-day, I made martini's for the first time last weekend.
69. I love to dance - but not to country western (I'm a klutz when someone leads).
70. Music has always been important in my life.
71. I used to love to fly, but lately flying makes me queasy and off balance.
72. I'm dreading the flight overseas!
73. I'd rather be going someplace where it's hot and sunny, with a beach (so what if I've already said this).
74. I like chocolate chip cookies w/out nuts.
75. Walnuts and pecans chew up my mouth (I think I'm allergic).
76. I like drinking milk w/chocolate chip cookies (or chocolate cake).
77. Cereal is the best breakfast for me.
78. I mostly don't eat breakfast though.
79. After I eat, I always have to blow my nose.
80. My family (and friends) hate this 'cause they say I sound like a foghorn.
81. I hate shoes, and mostly wear sandals or flip flops, even in the winter.
82. I can get away with it here in NM only because it's sunny most of the time.
83. I get about 20-30 catalogs a week in the mail.
84. I only order from about 6 catalogs.
85. I'm fairly organized and love my house to be.
86. At work, my cubicle is a hodge podge of junk and doesn't reflect how my house looks at all.
87. I love to give advice, if asked.
88. I'm really liking having male friends, they give a different perspective on how I see things.
89. I like to gamble, but my limit has been not losing more than $100 in an evening.
90. I don't go that often so feel this limit is ok.
91. I love going to new restaurants and trying new food.
92. I don't like sushi and have tried it many times since I lived in Hawaii and the women I worked with brought it in every day for breakfast.
93. I love sunrises and sunsets.
94. I love lightening storms.
95. I love going to arts and crafts shows and seeing how talented people are - it always amazes me what people can create with their hands.
96. I don't like crowds, but it doesn't limit me from going to crowded places.
97. I'm too quick to anger, if someone has cut me off on the road or you drive to slow.
98. I generally speak my mind.
99. I used to be somewhat introverted, but over the years, this has changed.
100. I hate writing letters with a pen - typing and emailing it is so much faster.
101. I feel I've accomplished a lot with this list.

Where would you go . . . .

I watched the strangest movie last night - Donnie Darko w/Jake Gyllenhaal. I'm still debating w/myself on if I like it or not, but I will tell you, it makes you think about it, A LOT! There is something that happens in the movie that changes the course of his life. It made me think about what I would change if I could go back in time and do it differently - and know I was doing it differently. If I had one chance to change one thing, what would I choose? This thought kept me awake all night, and I couldn't choose one thing, there were so many, how could I choose just one event....

1) My grandma died on my 5th b-day in 1965, and I was already very close to her since we lived w/my grandparents while my dad was in Vietnam. If it were possible, I'd go back and tell her that her heart was going to give out soon and that she needed to take care of it before my b-day. I don't even know if they could do anything back then, but she had no warning.

2) My friend Val died my senior year in high school. He went rock climbing and fell to his death. I would go back and stop him so that his family and his friends wouldn't have grieved such a loss. He was a beautiful man, with a beautiful spirit and he knew how to have fun.

3) I would love to go back to the day my high school boyfriend got in a car accident that changed his life. It wasn't fatal, but they had to put his head in traction for a month. After that accident, he became addicted to pain killers and alcohol. He never was the same after that. I saw him about 8 years ago and he was going into another facility to dry him out. To this day, his mom doesn't have contact w/him. Like any girl in high school, I thought he was the one I'd marry, but he abused himself to the point I couldn't stay w/him any longer.

4) I was dating my ex and flirting w/someone who was a customer at the bank I worked for at the time. I know he was interested in me and we had lunch a few times. I wonder what would have happened if I would have opened door number two, instead of getting pregnant....(and believe me, I would in no way change having my sons, but, I still wonder)....

5) Which leads me to wonder, what my life would have been like if I'd known Christ personally at this juncture in my life, instead of later when things were hard in my marriage.

6) I also wonder, knowing what I know now, would I change the course of my marriage (my mistakes, my blunders). Would I change how I was towards my ex, or would I let it run its course? I'm not sure about this because I feel so much happier w/out him, but would have staying w/him change my sons in any way? I feel they're great kids (young men), but would their lives be different if we would have stayed together?

There are many things I would have done differently knowing what I know, but then again, my life is awesome, thanks to God's grace. But still, you wonder....

Would you change anything??

I want to sleep in, but . . . .

I really need to slow down - I'm so exhausted this a.m. and feel a wellness day coming on soonly!

Anyway, Thursday night, rushed out of work to make it across town to watch the semi-finals of a girls basketball game. One of my best friend's husband coaches a high school team and their season has been amazing. They won that night so next night was state finals.

Friday woke up and wanted to sleep all day (I have every other Friday off), but knew I needed to spend time w/mom (she's been feeling neglected) so called her and we did the shopping at Costco, run errands and the movie thing (saw Failure to Launch w/Matthew - he was gorgeous, the movie was just ok). After I dropped her off later in the evening, I went and picked up girlfriends and we went to dinner before going to the game. Does anyone love Pei Wei as much as we do? Anyway, the game was at 8:00 p.m. and I was already tired, but the game actually energized me 'cause it was awesome. They won and my friend's husband got his just due. He's been coaching the girls at this high school for 10 years and has come close, but his team finally took state. We're so proud of him and his coaching staff, and then those girls...they wanted it and never let go of their lead. After, we went out to eat and then went to one of the coach’s house to celebrate. Needless to say, a long night, into the wee morning hours.

Saturday, woke up and wanted to sleep all day, but couldn't again because in my infinite wisdom, I invited my friends over for a dinner party that night. You know what that meant....I started my sauce for lasagna and then went shopping for everything else. I made a salad, bruschetta and artichoke/spinach dip for appetizers, garlic bread and strawberry shortcake for dessert. I felt like I was cooking all day...and if I wasn't cooking, I was cleaning. I pulled it off, because at 5:00 that evening, all the girls showed up and everything was ready. I started them all w/pomegranate martini's...they were yummy! A couple of the girls stayed late, so again, a late night for me.

So it's Sunday, I want to sleep in, but my dad calls and wants me to meet him at the arts and crafts show so that I can help him decide if he should buy some pieces he saw the day before. No sleeping in - must get to church - must meet pops! I felt like the Dunkin Donuts guy. So, that wasn't enough for me....no, I had to invite my family over for dinner since I had leftovers. It wasn't that bad actually, since everything was already made. I just had to warm things up and make more bread. Things were going great, until my mom decides to make her snide comment about me not liking her food (anything New Mexican which means anything w/chili). First let me tell you that my mom is the best cook EVER. There isn't anything that I don't love of hers. It started (the discussion that led to an argument, that led to disgust, that led to having the thoughts of "please go home now" which led to why????) because I was telling her and my sister about the salsa that my girlfriend makes (the best ever - she also makes the best guacamole) and my mom blurts out how I've never liked her cooking. She then changes it to say anything w/heat (meaning chili), which is a crock since she taught me how to cook. Oh man, for the rest of the night I had to listen to "poor me, I'm so neglected." Can you tell we have a love/hate relationship. She is a great mom, she's just not a great friend.

Anyway, they left half-way thru Desperate Housewives, which was good since I especially was looking forward to Greys last night. My poor sister was the mediator between us, but honestly, I just agreed to the negative my mom has to say about me. I quit fighting w/her years ago, even though she still tries to find fault with me. If I'm sounding bitter, I'm really not, I have learned I will never be what my mom wants me to be - we are on different planes spiritually, politically, and everything in between.

So, my weekend kept me busy, and I'm tired, but I wouldn't have it any other way. :)

Happy Monday everyone.

Lunch with "the boy"

Went to lunch w/him yesterday and feel somewhat satisfied since we rarely have spent time away from work together. I'm the one who initiates us leaving the restaurant, I'm the one who initiates us getting out of the car and I'm the one who initiates the goodbye since we were standing for a few minutes outside of his office (he didn't seem in any hurry to get back). So what does he do, he grabs my hand and shakes it....seriously, then puts his hand in a fist and holds it out for me to do the same so we can bang knuckle to knuckle. I wrote him this morning because he asked a question of me yesterday that I had a hard time answering. I p.s'd it by letting him know "no more w/the handshake - I want hugs."

I don't want to just be his friend...whine, whine, whine

Weird . . .

Laryngitis is a weird thing - how am I supposed to talk to my self? :)

Firey Food Show . . .

Why is it at every show you go to, art, home & garden, above, etc., they always have someone trying to clean your glasses? It was a food show!! Those people bug me. And why do they allow strollers in these shows when the aisles are 3 feet wide, seriously....and the parents look at you incredulously like we're the ones who are in the way. I was getting testy and not because I got to test the samples (which we could hardly get to because the STROLLERS were in the way!!!). And then there was the food nazis who made sure you only got one sample. I just spent $10 bucks on your jalapeño pistachio peanut brittle (sooo good by the way), if I want another sample, I'll take it. I think I know how it feels to be a salmon swimming up stream to spawn. ewwwwww!!!

Marco . . . Polo . . .

I feel like my like/lust life right now is a game of M/P. The worst part is I don't know if I should be yelling M or P. Sometimes the M is so loud it reverberates back in my ear and other times, the P is lost somewhere between N and O. I know I'm not making sense, but my hot boy isn't making sense.

Marco - start flirting by email and visiting (all at work)
Polo - after 3 months of flirting and a specific email asking, I tell him how I feel
Marco - A, I am enjoying being your friend
Polo - Fine, but technically you're more of an acquaintance
Marco - Here's flowers and a card for your b-day (given to me at work)
Polo - You've made my day and night (he came to my happy hour)
Marco - email, visit, email, visit - more flirting
Polo - I missed your b-day....why didn't you say anything?
Marco - I wanted it low key
Polo - Get him a music DVD of his fav artist w/funny card...
Marco - email, call, visit....next day, email, call, visit
Polo - smile, smile, smile....next day, smile, smile, smile

I've not been so smitten by a man since....well who knows when, but I am. And part of me is sad because he hasn't asked me out (yet??). And the other part is so excited by the possibility of going out w/him. Yes children are involved and yes his divorce was final last year. I know I've been told to be patient (he's interested, so they say) and believe me, I understand since I didn't put myself out there for 9 years after my divorce. Is it different for men? It's almost starting to make me ache, I want him so badly. Plus, I've dreamt of him almost every night this week - and since I've met him, I've only dreamt of him once before. Why so much now? Does the word consume mean anything! :( I know, I'm irritating my self.