I said Yes

My starter marriage lasted most of two decades, so why am I about to embark on marriage number two.
Perhaps its because I had a lot of rum colas on vacation.
Perhaps it's because he's a hand holder.
Perhaps it's because he grills a perfect rib eye.
Perhaps its because he's a sentimental romantic.
Perhaps it's because he tells me I'm beautiful daily.
Perhaps it's because he's a good Dad.
Perhaps it's because he does a good job vacuuming.
Perhaps it's because he plays Daddy taxi to my teenager.
Perhaps it's because I still love him madly.
Perhaps its because he's great at fixing things around the house.
Perhaps it's because I miss him when he's gone.
Perhaps it's because he likes my dogs, even the full retard one.
Perhaps it's because he gives the best foot rubs.
Perhaps it's because we were meant for each other.

I said yes in the Dominican Republic and the date will be 3/19/2011.

The People of the Dominican Republic are beautiful.

They are, they really are. They sing and smile even when they are working. Terry and I spent an indulgent week in Punta Cana,Dominican Republic. A lot of that week was spent at a high end resort, but I must say are best day was spent off the resort visiting a school, ranch, sugarcane fields and mixing with the locals. The Dominican Republic has the lowest suicide rate of the Caribbean. They also have 33 political parties. Wow, imagine the possibilities. They have had a strong middle class every since they be headed their last dictator.

Life of Riley

I have always been found of that saying and it certainly applies to my life right now. For the third year in a row I have been blessed with having 2 months off work.You see the nature of my job is selling software to CPA's. There are two months during the year that CPA's are heavy into tax season. The last thing they want to do is speak with me during that period.I made a deal with my bosses a few years back to take the time off, fore go my salary and just receive commission during that period.Yes its a little less money but I get to pretend I'm a stay at home Mom two months out of the year. I change my alarm clock from 6am to 7:30 am. I clean the house, make better dinners, exercise more and am just generally in a good mood. I have worked all my life from a very young age. I only took 2 weeks off when Andrew was born because we had just bought our first home in San Francisco. So this time off for me is a very very big deal. I have lots of things planned day trips, projects and trying new things. In two days Terry and I take off for a week in the Dominican Republic. So while folks in Austin are still dealing with cold temps, Ill be drinking a Mojito and most likely getting fat. The Life of Riley is the life for me. The only difficult thing about it is when it will come to an end on April 15th. Until then I plan on enjoying every moment.

Bang Bang Bang

If you would have asked me my opinion on guns three years ago, you would have gotten an earful. I have always considered myself an anti gun person. I have my reasons, one being my brother took his life with a gun. At the age of 40 I had never held a gun nor had the desire. When I moved to Texas and mentioned my Left Coast view of guns folks laughed. The truth is most people in Texas own a gun. I was listening to a radio show the other day in the car when the DJ said something along those lines, folled by, "Hell even the hippies are packing in Austin". I would have to agree. About two year ago I was out on a friends 26 acres in Dripping Springs and i fired a rifle. I took two shots. Terry and I were out there with our sons who wanted to target practice. So I fired twice and hit an old trash can. I didn't have an epiphany, I just did it. Last Sunday as school break was coming to an end I said to my son today is family day. Anyone who has a teenager will tell you that when they reach this age they would rather hang with their friends rather than their Mom any day of the week. I gave Andrew three choices, going bowling, going to see Avatar or going to the shooting range. It just kinda came out. He first told me bowling was stupid. What a surprise then thought for a moment and said shooting range. We drove out to Lone Star Range in Lockhart TX with several of Terry's sons guns in the back of the car. Something happened out at the range, something really strange. I started enjoying myself. Enjoying myself a lot. On top of that I had a teenager smiling at his Mom and trying to show her the ropes. He doesn't have any more experience then me but I think he enjoyed showing me how to load and unload after Terry showed him. It's hard to find things that my son will do without the usual, that's lame, but I think I'm on to something. Maybe I have a little 14 year old teenage boy in me, because I can't remember when Ive had so much fun. While I'm sure this is shocking to many who have known me for a long time, but Sunday night I uttered the words, I think I want to buy myself a gun for my birthday. Or maybe I am just becoming a Texan after all.

Elite

I woke up this morning to an email from www.Yelp.com saying I was nominated for elite status for 2010. This is my 4th year of being yelp elite. And what does it mean? Somebody in yelpland likes my reviews. Over the years i have gotten a yelp hoodie, tshirt, chap stick and other chakees. Once a month I get invited to the yelp monthly shin digs which almost always means free booze, free food and a chance to hang out with some cool peeps. Sure it's a little silly but it was nice to wake up to that email and feel a little special. Sometimes is pays to be opinionated.

Ringing the gong

Three years ago this month I moved to Austin and took my job with me. I have always worked in an office or team environment. I now work out of my home office. Don't get me wrong, I don't miss rushing out at 7am in the morning to drive for 30 minutes to the office. There is something to be said about working in flip flops and shorts most of the time. OK, I wear sweat pants in the winter. So now my commute involves walking up the stairs. No more oh crap, I made my lunch and left it at the counter knowing it would have been eaten by the dogs by the time I got home.Now lunch is always in the fridge downstairs. What I miss most in the camaraderie, the high fives and crude humor. The competition and breaking out of beer on Friday afternoon after a very good week. These things are gone. My co workers consist of instant messages to Buenes Aries and San Francisco. No high fives or slaps on the back. So what have I done? I have a gong in my office on an alter with a large stature of Ganesha, remover of all obstacle. When I get a new client I ring my gong. The dogs do a happy dance and they get a treat. Maybe that's silly but it's all I got. The dogs have become my co workers. We adjust and I haven't gotten any complaints from the dogs. Thursday I got to ring the gong twice and once rather repetitively. I closed our 1700th client. We are a small company that never had any venture capital We did it on our own. My son was home for winter break and I did get a high five at lucky number 1700,but for the most part my high fives come from a pack of hot dogs and a couple silly dogs willing to dance the happy dance with me.

Happy Holidaze

I had a lot of family in town for the holidays. By alot I mean my mom, 2 sisters, 2 brothers in laws and 4 nieces & nephews aged 11-21, and 2 dogs. On top of that we also belended Terry's two grown sons. We had a household. We had actually planned to get together two years ago when my mom had an emergency apendetimy a day before her flight. We are a loud bunch, especially the Sloan girls. I'm pretty sure we could all do public speaking with out the use of a microphone. So loud I managed to loose my voice (which Terry called a Christmas miracle) trying to keep up. It was great seeing everyone. I had the dishwasher set on repeat trying to keep up. Some of the highlight were taking all my nieces & nephews to the mall with Andrew. My sisters were shocked I stayed with them the whole time. Also Terry's sons gave me & planted a lime & orange tree. I am creating a little tropical orchard in my backyard and was very toched by their gift. Yesterday when everyone left the house was so quiet. It reminded me of when I first moved out. I used to turn on the TV to eat because I was so used to the noise and chaos of a large family that I couldn't eat in quiet.