[insert clever name here]

Tomorrow's Tax Day. Have you done your taxes yet? 

Happily, yes.  And I've even received my refund already!  It's a nice switch from last year, when I was an idiot and somehow told the IRS that I had 3 dependents (I have none).  My economic stimulus paid my taxes last year, sadly.

Show us the first sign of spring.

Show us your work cube or office.

In case you hadn't heard already....

As the title of this post would indicate...I'm (well, we're) engaged!! Brandon (aka The Cheese Guy) popped the question on Saturday night, while we were on a much needed mini-vacation to Pigeon Forge. We drove up Saturday morning, went to a couple of wineries in Pigeon Forge, bought some wine, unpacked our stuff, explored the cabin we were staying in....then went to dinner and rented a movie from the Redbox at Wal-Mart, after riding some go-carts. (Yay! Go-carts!!)  We also enjoyed the heart shaped jacuzzi tub in our cabin :) After starting the movie, Brandon stepped out to smoke. When he came back in, he was looking at me and grinning, and wouldn't stop staring at me. I asked him what was up, and he said "nothing". So I poked him and asked him again. To which he replied "nothing". I asked him if he was sure (because he was still looking at me funny) and he said "fine, I'll do it now" and told me to close my eyes. He went to his suitcase and retrieved the ring, then knelt in front of me and asked me to marry him. I said yes  :)

THE 99 THINGS MEME

 

Things you’ve already done: bold

Things you want to do: italicize

Things you haven’t done and don’t want to - leave in plain font

 

1. Started your own blog.

2. Slept under the stars

3. Played in a band.

4. Visited Hawaii.

5. Watched a meteor shower.

6. Given more than you can afford to charity.

7. Been to Disneyland/world.

8. Climbed a mountain.

9. Held a praying mantis. (it was in a bottle at the time…)

10. Sang a solo.

11. Bungee jumped

12. Visited Paris.

13. Watched a lightning storm at sea.

14. Taught yourself an art from scratch.

15. Adopted a child.

16. Had food poisoning. (unfortunately)

17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty.

18. Grown your own vegetables.

19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France.

20. Slept on an overnight train.

21. Had a pillow fight. (of course…I have a little sister!)

22. Hitch hiked.

23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill.

24. Built a snow fort.

25. Held a lamb.

26. Gone skinny dipping.

27. Run a marathon.

28. Ridden a gondola in Venice.

29. Seen a total eclipse.

30. Watched a sunrise or sunset.

31. Hit a home run.

32. Been on a cruise.

33. Seen Niagara Falls in person.

34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors.

35. Seen an Amish community.

36. Taught yourself a new language.

37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied.

38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person. (I have the picture of me holding it up, even!)

39. Gone rock climbing.

40. Seen Michelangelo’s David in person. (I think it may have been a recreation, actually…maybe not)

41. Sung Karaoke.

42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt.

43. Bought a stranger a meal in a restaurant.

44. Visited Africa.

45. Walked on a beach by moonlight.

46. Been transported in an ambulance. (thankfully, never!)

47. Had your portrait painted. (does charcoal count?)

48. Gone deep sea fishing.

49. Seen the Sistine chapel in person.

50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling.

52. Kissed in the rain.

53. Played in the mud.

54. Gone to a drive-in theater.

55. Been in a movie.

56. Visited the Great Wall of China.

57. Started a business.

58. Taken a martial arts class

59. Visited Russia.

60. Served at a soup kitchen.

61. Sold Girl Scout cookies.

62. Gone whale watching.

63. Gotten flowers for no reason.

64. Donated blood. (every time I try, there’s some reason I can’t)

65. Gone sky diving.

66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp.

67. Bounced a check.

68. Flown in a helicopter.

69. Saved a favorite childhood toy.

70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial.

71. Eaten Caviar.

72. Pieced a quilt.

73. Stood in Times Square.

74. Toured the Everglades.

75. Been fired from a job.

76. Seen the Changing of the Guard in London.

77. Broken a bone.

78. Been on a speeding motorcycle.

79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person.

80. Published a book.

81. Visited the Vatican.

82. Bought a brand new car.

83. Walked in Jerusalem.

84. Had your picture in the newspaper. (only for being on the honor roll…oh, and talking about books at FPOW)

85. Read the entire Bible.

86. Visited the White House.

87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating.

88. Had chickenpox.

89. Saved someone’s life.

90. Sat on a jury

91. Met someone famous. (Johnny Cash!)

92. Joined a book club.

93. Lost a loved one.

94. Had a baby.

95. Seen the Alamo in person.

96. Swum in the Great Salt Lake.

97. Been involved in a law suit.

98. Owned a cell phone.

99. Been stung by a bee.

 

Saturday, December 13 is the American Red Cross's National Day of Giving.  Because of the record number of tornadoes, the worst flooding in the Midwest in 15 years, an early wildfire season and an active hurricane season, the American Red Cross's Disaster Relief Fund has reached incredibly low levels.  The National Day of Giving is part of the Red Cross's effort to raise $100 million dollars to replenish the National Disaster Relief Fund.  

The Red Cross is there for people nationwide when a disaster strikes.  Will you be there for the Red Cross?  Please give whatever you can to help this organization help those in need.

For more information on how to get involved with the Nashville Area Red Cross, please visit www.nashvilleredcross.org

For more information on how to be better prepared for a disaster, please go to the Red Cross's Preparedness website (http://www.redcross.org/preparedness/)

How often do you do laundry? Do you have your own washer and dryer or do you have to leave your home?

I do laundry about once a week.  I have a washer & dryer in my house, and I am *so* thankful I don't have to lug laundry around anymore!!

Openly keep, store away, or toss completely? What do you think should be done with past gifts from old flames after you've broken up and are with someone new?
Submitted by miy6ko.

Well, there's always this option - http://www.exboyfriendjewelry.com/. 

Personally, I tend to simply store the stuff for a few years and then throw it out.  Except jewelry.  That I keep.  But the people who broke into my house last summer took all of it, so now I don't have to worry about it anymore.

Show us a sign that the holidays are upon us.

If you were forced to buy a new car today, what kind of car would you get?

A Mini Cooper.  In fact, I've been saving for one for the last 2 years.  Sadly, buying my house has taken part of that savings, but I'm still hoping to have one soon