1. Growing up, at what age did you think you’d become an adult? At what age did you actually become an adult? 

Hmm, interesting question. I’m not entirely sure when I thought it would happen. I was horrible about thinking how I’d become anything. I never wanted kids or to get married when I was a teenager but that was because I couldn’t see it happening with anyone. The age at which I think I became an adult was about 28. I specifically remember taking my firstborn to his 6 week check up and carrying his car seat to the pediatrician office struck me as “You are now an adult’. This is a very vivid memory of mine.

2.  What’s a favorite item you’ve bought this year?

The first thing that came to mind are these glasses I’m wearing right now. I have purchased many cheaper readers since my surgery last September but the last time we went out of town, I forgot some and we had to stop at a Busy Bee. They had no cheap ones so I just grabbed the ones that looked the best on me and even though they were overpriced they fit well and seem sturdy.

3. May 28th is National Hamburger Day…are you a fan? If so, how do you like yours? When was the last time you had a hamburger? Besides the backyard grill, what’s your favorite place to go for a burger?

I LOVE a good burger! I prefer mine to be about medium, with cheese, lettuce and tomato, mustard and mayo. But I also like to switch it up and sometimes add a runny egg or instead, put peanut butter and jelly. I haven’t had one in a little while. Maybe it was the weekend we went to St. Augustine and we had one at a little place on St. George street. Here in town, we have two places I like to go: one is called Midtown Caboose and they have a good pb&j burger and the other is Bumpa’s and they have one with pimento cheese and a roasted jalapeno on top. Solid burgers. Noe that this question came up, I asked Ash if he still wanted to go to our usual Tuesday Mexican place or have burgers but of course his answer was, ‘either work for me’. Ugh, just tell me!

4.  How have your priorities changed over time? 

Oh for sure! How could they not? I used to be worried about my overall happiness and then as I got married and had kids, their needs became my #1 priority. Maybe at times too much so. So as I have aged and gained what I dare call wisdom, I try to balance my life as much as I can. On the small scale, I still prioritize making money when I’m at work and then shifting into mom/wife mode and making sure things get done.

5. What’s one thing on your June calendar you’re really looking forward to? 

Vacation. We leave at the end of the month but if you want something not almost to July, I am looking forward to the days my husband is out of town. It always makes me extra vigilant about getting everything done because I don’t have him to rely on. Ha.

6. Write your own random thought here:

I’m staying home this morning because I have a Teams interview at 930. Sure, I could have gone to work for an hour then driven home but it seemed a waste of time and gas. This is a remote job with a local company and I have interviewed with them before, 2 years ago. We’ll see. I am glad I have options.

Tomorrow’s interview is with TCC and for a dual enrollment advisor. That job may not be too bad, actually, as I have worked at a college before. These days, even though I have many years to go before retirement, I am looking for flexible hours. After my experience with the legislature, that’s the primary, aside from pay. The pay for this isn’t great but I could make up for it with online teaching. Plus, I could stay in the Florida retirement system, which is a good deal and worth it. I have 15 years or so in with them and you usually cash out around 30.

It nothing else I’ll have the fall teaching and that would at least keep me afloat a while. Again, options.

LOL so now it’s 2:48 PM and it turned out my interview is tomorrow. I was already on a roll with doing stuff here so I just stayed home. I did SO much in the house I’d been meaning to so at least that’s a win!