Blondie's Meme Challenge

I know you've given up on me by now, but I really had to give my answers to 10, 5 and one year deep thought. Not to mention having to rack my memory! I didn't want to gloss over with trite answers. So here you go, let's hope you don't regret tagging me. LOL

10 years ago- Wow, hard to believe how quickly time flies. I hated my job, but Boo and I had emerged victorious from years of working on our relationship and individually. I felt like my life was starting anew from that point forward. All of the hard work, tears, fear and exploration had culminated in a serenity I didn't know existed. I felt so lucky, blessed and grateful to have come out the other end intact with a much stronger marriage and commitment to each other. We had found equilibrium again and were soulmates.

I also experienced the meaning of "People enter our lives for a reason or a season. When the time comes they sometimes leave." I was released by two mentors who I love dearly to this day and owe many, many thanks to for their wisdom, energy, nurturing and support. I cried many tears about the loss of these relationships, but I now appreciate the wisdom and meaning of letting go and moving forward. Indeed, there is a synchronicity in The Universe. Nothing happens by accident or coincidence.

Finally, I was at a spiritual crossroads for many years and it came to a head about the same time that my relationship was falling apart. I felt empty inside and I began looking inward and upward. I didn't know what I wanted to call the Supreme Being (Yahweh, Higher Power, God, Goddess, Buddha, The Universe, etc.), but I could feel that what I wanted was already within me. I just had to stop long enough to reflect and cultivate it.

So ten years ago, I found my spirituality and it is what carries me through each and every day. Note that I'm not talking about religion, but spirituality. I had it rough for several years and it's no coincidence that my marriage and spiritual crises occurred simultaneously. In retrospect, the Lord couldn't have timed it more perfectly. I was an orchid withering on the vine and if I was going to bloom again, it was best that new seeds be planted.

5 years ago - I'd already moved to a new position and loved my job. I was joyous about being a cancer survivor of two years, but also despising the label such an illness placed on me. No one wanted to insure me. It's like, "Wait three more years. Once you pass the fifth year, then you're safe and considered cancer free." Yea, whatever!

I also suffered a work injury that left my back a mess. Talk about pain. It was bad. Really bad. Emotionally, mentally and spiritually I was great. Physically I was a total mess, but because of where I'd been, not even this was going to get me down. I did a lot of physical therapy and Boo was at my side through it all reminding me of my goal. I'm all better now through the grace of God.

1 year ago- I was worried that my little guy Buddah wouldn't make it. He had a thyroid condition and cyst that we couldn't regulate. He had lost a lot of weight and was very weak. Our regular vet wasn't so sure he'd make it. I could see it in her eyes. We drove him to Irvine for radiation treatment and I prayed and prayed. Isn't it funny how everything else pales in memory? This is the event I recall.

The radiation specialist was very reassuring that many cats benefited from the procedure with no side effects. One year later, our little 13 year old Tonkinese is sprightly as a kitten and giving me a lot of lip! He's a talker and he keeps me a on tight schedule. LOL Life has been very good for us. It really has. If you'd told me fifteen years past that I'd be feeling this good, I would've answered "rubbish!"

Yesterday- I talked to my mom and she was sounding very weary. It might have been the heat and terrible humidity. I felt sad because I thought of her mortality. I became even sadder when I thought of the great loss it would be for me. I love my mom very much.

Tomorrow- It's gonna be a good day, but I can't worry about that. I have today to live. Life is very good and I feel very blessed. I'm confident that whatever God brings to my door tomorrow, He will help me handle. On the other hand, what's immediate? Laundry, helping my mom and enjoying life!

5 snacks I enjoy- Popcorn, Polly seeds, ice cream, jello, tapioca pudding. Notice there's nothing very healthy on the list. Note to self: improve eating habits, especially in the snack area. Of course, my faves are popcorn and ice cream. I love ordering popcorn via mail order. They have a delightful chocolate and jalepeno variety that's heavenly!

5 songs I know all the words to- The Beatles In My Life, Elton John Your Song, John Lennon Just Like Starting Over, George Clinton Atomic Dog, The Beach Boys God Only Knows. Damn, my list looks like an oldies but goodies compilation. What's up with that? Humph.

5 reality television shows I watch- I'm not into reality T.V shows. They bore me to tears. Oh wait, I lied. The new MTV show That 70s House is pretty funny. It's totally retro with none of the digital amenities we're used to. The young folks have to navigate and live their lives daily in this backward house.

5 television shows I watch daily- Wow, that's a lot of T.V. I watch City Confidential, American Justice, Forensic Files, Emeril Live and They all air daily, but I don't watch them daily. I'll watch each program at least once in a week's period, though.

5 things I would do with $100,000,000- Buy a house with two on a lot so my mom could live with us. Pay off one major bill for loved ones to give them some breathing room. Invest and save. I would buy a house with a gorgeous large front porch that extended to the side of the house. I love sitting outdoors, especially on a warm evening.

Notice, I didn't mention quitting my job. I love my job and I would keep working. I'm too young to just sit around and I'm really not one for traveling. Though, I might travel to meet blogging friends in RL. That's one thing that I do miss about the old days of BBSs. Because everyone was more or less local, there was greater opportunity to meet in person.

5 locations I would love to run away to- Italy, Amsterdam, New Zealand, Tahiti, Alaska.

5 things I like doing- Photography, blogging, attending concerts, spending long weekends with Boo and doing whatever, watching good indie flicks. The cable company learned about my temper when they turned of Sundance and iFilm channels. Boo was like, "Oooh, you're mad. I'll be in the living room." I gave the cable dude an ear load after they turned off my channels for the second time in a year. They can touch any other channel, but leave my indie film channels alone!

5 things I would never wear- Four inch stiletto heels, micro mini-skirt, back brace, big black wrap around sunglasses (senior citizens wear those and then they're all brave and try to run you over!), Depends (I'd rather have surgery to correct incontinence).

5 recently seen movies I like- Spanglish, War of the Worlds (the special effects were awesome but Spielberg forgot the film should have a story), The Pacifier, Big Fish, Hide and Seek.

5 famous people I'd like to meet- Jesus, the Dahli Lama, Bill Gates, Steve Wozniak, Martin Luther King, Jr.,.

5 biggest joys of the moment- My relationship and Buddah, my mom, loved ones, employment and health and, last but not least, my relationship with God.

5 people to tag- Andrea, Lady Starlight, SAP, Otto, Boo.