All week it has been hard to avoid...news stories...news papers...all with the same images of people lining up to buy their lotto tickets. Some lines are short...some around the corner and some hours long with travelers that have crossed state lines to get in on this "lotto mania". Well today I found myself amidst those folks and I have to admit...as silly as it may be...or as small of a chance I have (1 and 176 million is said to be the chances I have) I am a little giddy just thinking about what I would do if I won the lotto!! Here is my list...and I know you have yours ha!
Well first things first...or course debt would no longer be a word my family knows or understands...of course the mortgages, credit, loans, STUDENT LOANS (grrrr) and cars would all be paid off (duh). Then the kids (my nieces and nephews) would be taken care of...100,000 scholarships for each of them for when they plan to go to school or buy a home. So yea...yea...yea all the serious stuff...done...HANDLED!
Now for the fun! Of course my life would consist of travel...and that would be shared with my family...everyone will need a passport because we will be seeing this world!! Of course an Airstream for me and Nick...Peter and Tania if they want one too!! My parents would just have to point at a map and tell me where they want to go...of course I already know my mom will want to make her first stop outside the Good Morning America window in New York City! :) Nick's parents would have all the same opportunities to travel...I would take Nick's dad to a taping of American Idol and Nicks mom someplace she has never been (with this lady this is tough, she has been everywhere) Tim would get a long vacation that he so deserves...probably send him to some NASCAR races with my dad. And Bill and his family as well as Michelle Sophia and Michael would enjoy a great family vacation! This is just the broad notion of what I would like to do for my family...there are endless things that I want to do for them.
As for myself...no student loans would be enough haha...but a loft in Seattle and a home here would be just fine thanks. I guess what I would hope for in this little mega millions day dream of mine is that I would hope that if I were...or if anyone were so lucky to get this fortune that there would be something good from it. Not to say that being out of debt and making wishes of your family and friends come true is not a good thing...it guess maybe the word I am looking for is...change...
While growing up my dads wish, whenever he played the lotto, was to open an animal sanctuary. This was mostly influenced by the fact of us taking in almost any stray we saw...there was even a time when a litter of kittens was dropped off on our front porch because they knew we were the "animal house"...haha! He always dreamed of buying a huge piece of land...employ vets and caretakers and just save any animal that needed saving. It was such a beautiful vision (because I am a huge animal lover and have fallen into my fathers footsteps of picking up pups in the street) it was so pure.
So I guess while I am sitting here thinking of all the wonderful things that would happen if I won the lotto...I hope to see some change come from this frenzy...this "mania"! Because this is truly a fortune...one that could not be spent in a lifetime...one that can change so many lives, which is why we play in the first place. All of us who went out there and bought a ticket or twenty (ha) were all wishing...hoping...praying even...that this would change their life. So I hope that in some way it will...not only change the life of the one holding the winning ticket...but that they spread that fortune...the share that fortune...they do something to make change...
This could be wishful thinking...but maybe it will happen...we shall see! :)
Today Sounds Like:
Awake - Troublemakers
Three Little Birds - Bob Marley
I Ain't Superstitious - Howlin' Wolf
Pigs on the Wing (Part One) - Pink Floyd
Friday, March 30, 2012
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
A Small Room Filled With Love and A Tuna Sandwich
On Sunday I was so excited to plan my menu for this week. It was going to be fettucini alfredo Monday...kale and lentil soup tonight...pita pizzas Wednesday and veggie soup and dumplings for Friday. Well last night it was an unexpected time change for my adorable niece Marley's birthday party and I was not able to get home in time to make dinner. But it was more than ok because last night in a small two bedroom apartment about 25 people gathered...all to share in the celebration of this cute, hyper, "team Jacob" loving little girl. Family, friends, aunts, uncles, cousins and new acquaintances all squished together to be part of this day.
It was really a night to appreciate. Sitting in a room with all of my family, my brothers, my sisters, my nephew, my nieces and my parents...wow...I really have to say that this was a first. Never have we all been together, in the same place, and all so happy...taking this time to look back on that night it still leaves me with this feeling of such joy...such appreciation...such happiness. So what started off as a night of fettucini turned into a night of seven layer dip and family.
As for tonight's planned meal...well my parents are up in Victorville watching Tim's kids and it is just not worth it to make a large pot of soup for myself. But I do have some last minute company in which I am ready to serve my new planned meal that I had set for myself...a tuna sandwich. A tuna sandwich and some tots was what was on the new menu, and though it does not come from a fun new recipe that I found online, nor do any of the ingredients come from my wonderful Farm Fresh to You box...I am so happy to be having a humble tuna sandwich because again, it is not only about the fact that I have been craving tots for the past month, it is that I get to share this little meal with my guest.
Nick...my best friend...my boyfriend...my true soul mate! This man is by far the best person I know and my favorite person! I don't think that I can even go on a rant of some sort explaining how much he means to me...and that is what made this little tuna sandwich so great. This little half sandwich was such a reminder...such a symbol...of how much Nick means to me...how much I value and appreciate our relationship...this humble meal was the centerpiece of a room full of laughter...excitement...and true genuine love.
These past two nights have been great reminders...reminders of how it really is "The Simple Things." There are so many articles out there that give you "10 Simple Ways to Relieve Stress" or "8 Simple Ways to Make Yourself Happier"...and don't get me wrong...I am the one clicking on these links and sharing them on facebook. And as often as I find myself reading these articles and blogs it is always a treat...a blessing...when you catch yourself present in one of those "simple" moments. So that's what I am grateful for today...that is what I am taking from these past two days...and that is making me really happy right now and a little less stressed...ha! :)
Today Sounds Like:
Everlasting Light - The Black Keys
Thank You - Led Zeppelin
Just Breathe - Pearl Jam
By Your Side - The Black Crowes
As for tonight's planned meal...well my parents are up in Victorville watching Tim's kids and it is just not worth it to make a large pot of soup for myself. But I do have some last minute company in which I am ready to serve my new planned meal that I had set for myself...a tuna sandwich. A tuna sandwich and some tots was what was on the new menu, and though it does not come from a fun new recipe that I found online, nor do any of the ingredients come from my wonderful Farm Fresh to You box...I am so happy to be having a humble tuna sandwich because again, it is not only about the fact that I have been craving tots for the past month, it is that I get to share this little meal with my guest.
Nick...my best friend...my boyfriend...my true soul mate! This man is by far the best person I know and my favorite person! I don't think that I can even go on a rant of some sort explaining how much he means to me...and that is what made this little tuna sandwich so great. This little half sandwich was such a reminder...such a symbol...of how much Nick means to me...how much I value and appreciate our relationship...this humble meal was the centerpiece of a room full of laughter...excitement...and true genuine love.
These past two nights have been great reminders...reminders of how it really is "The Simple Things." There are so many articles out there that give you "10 Simple Ways to Relieve Stress" or "8 Simple Ways to Make Yourself Happier"...and don't get me wrong...I am the one clicking on these links and sharing them on facebook. And as often as I find myself reading these articles and blogs it is always a treat...a blessing...when you catch yourself present in one of those "simple" moments. So that's what I am grateful for today...that is what I am taking from these past two days...and that is making me really happy right now and a little less stressed...ha! :)
Today Sounds Like:
Everlasting Light - The Black Keys
Thank You - Led Zeppelin
Just Breathe - Pearl Jam
By Your Side - The Black Crowes
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Rain and Soup...
Ok so it is Sunday and before I head out to the markets to get ready for the week I am going to make what I call "Clean Your Fridge Out Soup" :) Pretty much I look at what I have left from the week and see what I can throw together in a pot and make a delicious (well I hope delicious) soup!
Today I am working with some cabbage, green beans, small gold potatoes, celery, brown onion, garlic, some canned corn and tomatoes. So far it smells yummy and it hasn't even come to a boil!
Now I am sitting here...listening to the rain and smelling the yummy-ness that this soup is turning out to be...and I am thinking that I am so lucky for many reasons. The present few are that one, I am able to sit inside a warm home, listen to the beautiful rain and actually appreciate it. I am not out trying to drive in this weather and I am not having to walk or "live" in this weather because I have no place to go. I have food that is being prepared and I am excited to plan my menu for the coming week. Life is good and I am blessed for sure!
Of course there are the many other things that I am blessed with that include my family, friends, Nick and the wonderful weekend that I have had. I guess taking this time, making soup and listening to the rain with Portishead and DJ Shadow playing in the background gives me this little moment of clarity, this moment of bliss. And for that I am truly grateful and appreciative.
Thank you soup...thank you rain...because both of you have made it possible for me to slow down for these few moments and appreciate what I am blessed with! Thank you!
Today Sounds Like:
Just Like I Pictured It - Medeski, Martin and Wood
Look Out For My Love - Neil Young
One For My Baby - Billie Holiday
These Days - The Black Keys
Jack-Ass - Beck
Today I am working with some cabbage, green beans, small gold potatoes, celery, brown onion, garlic, some canned corn and tomatoes. So far it smells yummy and it hasn't even come to a boil!
Now I am sitting here...listening to the rain and smelling the yummy-ness that this soup is turning out to be...and I am thinking that I am so lucky for many reasons. The present few are that one, I am able to sit inside a warm home, listen to the beautiful rain and actually appreciate it. I am not out trying to drive in this weather and I am not having to walk or "live" in this weather because I have no place to go. I have food that is being prepared and I am excited to plan my menu for the coming week. Life is good and I am blessed for sure!
Of course there are the many other things that I am blessed with that include my family, friends, Nick and the wonderful weekend that I have had. I guess taking this time, making soup and listening to the rain with Portishead and DJ Shadow playing in the background gives me this little moment of clarity, this moment of bliss. And for that I am truly grateful and appreciative.
Thank you soup...thank you rain...because both of you have made it possible for me to slow down for these few moments and appreciate what I am blessed with! Thank you!
Today Sounds Like:
Just Like I Pictured It - Medeski, Martin and Wood
Look Out For My Love - Neil Young
One For My Baby - Billie Holiday
These Days - The Black Keys
Jack-Ass - Beck
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