“ 5 Years….. “

My dear friend Simone, from The Bottom of the Ironing Basket, tagged me yesterday for a “5 Years” list. I have been internet friends with Simone for over 8 years. We met while we were both on the Martha Stewart baby boards forums, and she and I, along with 6 other women, broke off and formed our own little group. We all grew so close and have been through so much together. These women mean everything to me. We have all gotten together a few times, with the exception of Simone, as she lives in London.

I can honestly say, and I get teary-eyed just thinking of it, if I had to list on one hand the 5 things I want to do in life, one would be to fly to London and spend time with Simone. You know how you just connect with a friend….who really seems to know you. That is Simone. I only wish we weren’t so far away and our lives weren’t so busy. She is a beautiful person and friend and I treasure having her in my life.

She has a beautiful blog and I’m thrilled for her that she is enjoying it.  And here are my answers to my tag:

1. Where were you five years ago?

Sean, Dylan and I had just moved here to the Pacific Northwest from the Boston area.  We had only been here about 6 months or so, and had just moved into our new home/town after having lived with my parents in Seattle for a while we looked for a home. It was such a period of adjustment for us. While I was so happy to be here, as it was close to my parents and sister and her family, we were missing our friends and Sean’s family terribly. And it is VERY different here, so we were getting used to that to. Heck….we STILL are. I’m not sure if we ever will feel like this is “home”. Although Dylan will, if we stay here.

The other thing that really stands out in my mind about that time is that I was realizing that Dylan was beyond your typical challenging child. We were having so many problems with him and it was really starting to sink in. He would get over-stimulated at the drop of a hat, I couldn’t take him anywhere, he wouldn’t listen, his eating went from bad to worse….I could go on and on. So many tears and sleepless nights worrying about him. Thankfully, with age comes maturity and he is doing MUCH better.

2.Where would you like to be five years from now?

Most likely, it will be right here! Dylan will be 12 – Boy Howdy that sounds so old and that’s not so far away! – and I hope for him to continue to be settled at school with a great group of friends. I hope for him to have found a sport that he really loves (right now we’re trying out a bunch of things). I pray for Sean’s cancer to stay at bay and for my scans to continue to show clear as well. We love our neighborhood here so much, so it will be fun to see the kids grow and to continue to foster those friendships.

As for work for me, in the Fall I’m going to be watching a baby 3 days a week. I’ve been looking for something outside the home, but there is nothing close-by and I still want to keep decent “mother’s hours”. So, this is the best of both worlds. I can still be home for Dylan when he gets off the bus, he can still have his friends over, and I’ll get a baby fix that has been eating at me!  : )

3. What's on your list to do today?

Well, since it’s the evening, I’ll tell you what is on my plate for tomorrow: 

After getting Dylan off on the bus, I’m headed to the library to return a book and pick up some new ones for myself

I did a lot of “outside” errands today, so I’ll head home and start some sewing projects for the camper

I will also start our packing for our weekend trip to Orcas Island in The San Juan's. I have lots of baking to do too.

I also have have to wrap a baby gift for my cousin Jayme as her shower is Sunday and I”m going on my way home from Orcas. Oh, and make a card too.

Then, pick up Dylan from school (he normally rides the bus) but he has a drs. appt. at 4:10.

And, tomorrow night is The Celebration of Learning at his school. The students present all their work, there is an Art Walk, Ice Cream Social, etc. FUN!

WHEW!

4. What five snacks do you enjoy?

Guacamole and chips

Crackers and cheese (any kind!)

Any hot dip with bread

Carrots and celery with hummus

Popcorn

5. What would you do if you were a Billionaire?

Buy a home on Nantucket and one in Boston.

Buy Sean a BMW.

Pay off the mortgages of all my family.

TRAVEL TRAVEL TRAVEL  (but it will probably be by myself as Dylan doesn’t do well out of his environment and Sean doesn’t like to travel)

And of course I would look for ways to use my money to help the world….mostly cancer research and children’s issues.

Have a wonderful week everyone!