Thanks for everything USA

Don't say this country hasn't done anything for you. It has. I think. It's amazing how you can get caught up on problem after problem originating from the city I work in. Washington DC. From the looks of it - everything seems grim. At what point did the word future get a big honkin' "?" question mark after it? Seriously. Even with the most focused game plan - we come up short. Like, the ongoing demise of Social Security's financial forecast - which - as I just did the math - will be depleated a few short years before I retire. Goodie! So, can I get my money back? Cause I need it to save for retirement. Or this whole housing market. Investment? I hardly think so. It's just another - well, "it almost worked" idea that is now meadering backwards. THanks America. You spend all this time wishing I'd grow up and this is my reward? Just awesome. But I wouldn't be me if I didn't stick it out to see what happens next. I'll keep paying my social security (don't thik I have a choice) and I'll keep paying my mortage and my silly condo dues. Do you want me to pay the car tax too? Done! I have no issue giving my money away. I actually don't even mind paying bills - I just would like the rest of it to be fair in the end. If that's possible. And like I said, don't say this country hasn't done anything for you. It's National Park Week! So go and enjoy it! That's like a $4 dollar savings!

The good stuff (and the shocking stuff)

This past week was filled with strange occurrences. Good stuff - I saw the discovery shuttle flying over DC on my way to work and Jason's new favorite band Trampled By Turtles (pic) played at work, so we got our own private concert- can't beat that. Seeing the shuttle's last trip in the sky and Trampled By Turtles were both very cool. Plus, work has let up a bit and I haven't had to bring my laptop home - that's where things get strange for real. I just got my laptop about two months ago...and Jason let me borrow his North Face laptop backpack to transport back and forth. It was working pretty great until the backpack disappeared from under my desk. Yep, someone took my bag. I remember being so excited I didn't have to bring work home but didn't anticipate this. Security checked the tapes and told me they didn't find anything. Just my luck. And with anything - being a busy wife, employee, mom. I wasn't keeping track of who's stealing my shit so imagine my surprise when i went to grab my bag and it was gone. For reference, my desk is not in plain view and stashing the bag under my desk behind a file cabinet made the bag completely out of view. You'd have to search pretty hard to find it.
And then to top it off, one of my coworkers passed away. He worked on several channels over the years at XM. Mostly the Groove and decades channels as Brian Carter. I just want to apologize for holding a grudge against him. He followed me into a work parking lot (a few years back) and as I was turning my car around to park in the only spot left he swooped in and took it. He knew what he did by the smerk he gave me as he walked past my car - and I left the lot for less desirable and unsafe street parking. It's dumb I know- but that's what happened. So even though I let that grudge go- I just don't want to have any left over negative feelings. He was a good person. RIP Brian.

First Bite.

Easter weekend, James took his very first bite of food. A graham cracker.