What does the future hold?

Everytime the Powerball gets really high at work, we each chip in 2 bucks. I have been there 8.5 years and the most we have ever won is $100. I would bet I have easily spent about $100 over the past 8 years on Powerball tickets. Anyways, I heard an interesting thing the other day, where someone complained about people blowing their money on Powerball and how they should use it for something more useful. But then this guy responded and he basically said, "I would easily pay $2 for the tons of fun imaginative things I think up in my head, that I would spend the money on. That $2 makes all those scenarios/vacations/objects I dream about, worth it." The following are some of the things I would do if I won Powerball: (By the way, I am thinking pretty big here--so let's pretend I win the $200+ million) 1)I would take every single member of my family on vacation...all together, at one time. We would go somewhere warm, there would be lots of good cocktails and lots of fun. 2)I would take all of our good friends (you know who you are) on a vacation, sans children. Again, We would go somewhere warm, there would be lots of good cocktails and lots of fun. (Okay, we can bring the children, but we will need a few babysitters so that we can go dancing.) 3)I would set up generous college funds for all the important kiddos in my life. 4)I would set up research trusts to investigate the following critical issues and illnesses/diseases pathways: a)Obesity/Metabolic Disorders b)Sustainable Resources, Oil/fuel alternatives(solar, wind power), renewable agriculture, and more c)Many different viruses (hepatitis C/HIV/HPV/Ebola) d)Neurodegenerative illnesses (Parkinsons, Alzheimers, MS, etc.) e)Muscular dystrophy (especially myotonic dystrophy) f)Blood coagulation illness (especially Factor V) g)Infertility h)I would support the study of many different genetic illnesses 5)I would buy all of my brother's photography. 6)I would be a silent partner in the following businesses that I would want to open: a)A steak house, wine/cheese shop in Flagstaff--that would be run by my brother and my dad would be in charge of the wine list (of course we would eventually branch out to other exclusive locations once the buzz got around.) b)A bakery/coffee/sweet shop in Flagstaff--that would be run my mom and that would always carry the cinnamon rolls I love. (Mom--you only have to work part time.) 7)I would buy a second home in Cabo San Lucas. 8)I would pay the $10,000 entry fee for my husband, myself, my brother and father to go into the World Series of Poker. 9)I would buy a ton of shoes. (and purses) (oh and jewelry)--I have a David Yurman I have been eyeing :) 10)I would in act legislation that would require that for every tree that is cut down, two new ones have to replace it. 11)I would learn to surf. 12)I would buy one the new BMW Diesels. 13)I would learn to scuba dive. 14)I would offer scholarships to kids going into the sciences/engineering/environmental studies. 15)I would buy tickets to all the concerts I have ever wanted to go to. 16)I would SPEND TONS OF TIME---with my kids. (and husband) (more to come I am sure).

Dust Bunnies and Why Women Should Rule the Earth

We have some pretty cute dust bunnies in our house:

A great speech from Dee Dee Myers, about why women should rule the earth....(about 50 minutes long)
http://www.publicradio.org/tools/media/player/news/midday/2008/03/10_midday2

Oh yeah, I am kind of late, but my baby girl turned 2---what a joy the last two years have been!!

Travel Review and More

Hi Kids, Well, I made it back yesterday from Tennessee and though I would enlighten you on my experiences there. Memphis: All I have to say is YIKES...not at all what I thought it would be. In my head I pictured a quaint little town with little old guys on rockers out in front of barber shops.. Elvis streaming from storefronts. Back to reality---it was a ghettofied, trash-infested, run down, icky place. Note to City Mayor and City Planner of Memphis: Suggestion: Cleaning up all the trash, building on all the empty lots, and getting down the highest murders per capita rate in the US may do wonders for your tourist situation. Oh yeah--if you could actually put a few restaurants in, that would be great too--Popeyes, Burger King and Wendy's can get a little old. On a side note: St. Jude Children's Research Center is all it is cracked up to be. The money we donate--does a lot of good. There is a ton of fine research going on at St. Jude. Nashville: Now this is definitely a place I could see spending some time. Their downtown area is super clean, safe and easy to get around. It would be a fun place to be with friends--we could head over to BB King's Blues Club, Tootsies (famous country bar), the Charlie Daniel's Museum. Not to mention, the people were super friendly and courteous. (Simple manners go a long way!! Door holding, please and thank you--all good things.) It was definitely funny being called a "Northerner" and hearing what people thought about the two wierd democratic candidates (there were a couple of comments about how this country isn't ready for a black president, nor a woman president)--I heard a drunk old guy even mention getting his gun out to shoot up all these "Northerners"...... All in all, it is good to be home. A couple more things--to the clinic in Las Vegas that was "cutting costs" by reusing syringes. YOU are the reason that the rest of the world thinks the US is a bad place. How greedy could you be? You sure as hell better have a great lawyer (and insurance) because you are so000 going down. I just realized that I have a special anniversary coming up in a couple of weeks----10 years of living in Minnesota---who would have thought? I had planned to get my Masters Degree and then head back to Arizona. I never got the masters degree (maybe some day?) Now I am married and have two kids. Funny how life has different plans for you. Life is good.