200! (Aka your questions answered!)

Before I begin with questions I have to share the story of tonight. I've been having a pity party kind of day, where I just haven't been in a good mood. Last night, one of the cats (not mine) didn't come home. I figured he was out tom-catting around and didn't worry about it.

When I got home from work, I wandered around calling for him, and heard a moaning coming from a tree in the neighbor's yard. Dennis is up a tree!!

The fire department won't come get him (and the guy laughed when I called). I told him, "I know this is the most cliché question ever, but I have a cat up the tree!" Apparently they don't come rescue cats anymore. So Mr. Dennis is stuck until he either decides to let the neighbor grab him or gets hungry enough to come down!!

With that... here's the answers to your questions!!

(army)Wife asked

Do you have an tattoos? If not, if you were to get one, what would you get?

I do! I have two tattoos, which I got last year. I have a Taurus symbol with an iris on my left hip and the Wisconsin W on my right foot. I tried to post pictures but blogger is being uncooperative.

If you had to change your first name, what would you call yourself?

I'd probably go by my middle name, Renee. I moved a lot as a kid, and thought about changing to my middle name during my second to last move (just before 6th grade) but couldn't remember to stop writing "Lisa" on the tops of all my papers. Old habits die hard!

What's your favorite dessert?

My favorite dessert is probably Grandma's rhubarb custard pie. Actually, any of Grandma's pies are up there. But her rhubarb custard pie is to die for. It's got just enough sweetness and a little bit of tart from the rhubarb. Mmm... that is the downside to Seattle-- so far away from Grandma that I don't get to be spoiled by her pies and cookies!

What's your dream job? (Also asked by Abbie)

Now that's a tough question, and I've done a lot of soul-searching about this one lately. I love working at my company, I love selling outdoor gear, and using it. But I think that I'd have a little bit more fun using and teaching than selling. That being said, I love kids and miss being a nanny. Part of me is considering going back to it. So maybe something that combines both of those, without working at a summer camp.

Benson asked How many bikes do you own?

There are three bikes in my possession, although only two now belong to me. I have my mountain bike (see last Friday's post) and my road bike. I also currently have my boss's Specialized Mountain bike, which I keep trying to give back, but she's resisting because she just moved. I won't complain too much, but since I'm getting ready to move home, I need to give it back soon! I really enjoy mountain biking, but I think I'm a roadie by nature. I have owned my Trek 1500 since May of 2005. I thought I had a post about my bike (which I have yet to name, although Amelia was tossed out on my midnight ride with a friend), but I may have erased it. I've coveted a tri-specific bike, but that will have to wait for awhile.

Abbie had a couple other questions:

How did you end up in Seattle?

Well, this question is a bit tricky. The "official" answer is that my company was opening a new store, and I jumped at the chance to move to Seattle (where the company was founded and is based) and get an "in" at HQ.

The more detailed story is a lot more personal and has a backstory to it, so bear with me. :) Two years ago, I was starting to notice some problems in my 4 1/2 year relationship. My (now) ex and I were living together, and fighting a lot. Most of our arguments centered around his friendship with a female coworker, who I had met several times and cautioned him that she liked him. We had been talking for a little while about moving to Seattle, and a job posted for a store opening. I decided to apply for it. What the heck, right? He told me that moving to Seattle would "save" our relationship. We were "taking a break" at that point, I was at my best friend's house & house sitting for a coworker. I interviewed for the position, and my interview went amazingly. I got a call 2 days later that I didn't get the job, but was highly encouraged to apply for the job I held at the Madison store.

I went back to my apartment a couple days later (on the day we'd agreed I would move back in), and walked in to find his coworker cooking breakfast in my kitchen. My relationship was over at that point. I didn't know exactly what I was going to do, but I knew I had to get out of Madison and away from my current life. I interviewed for my position a few days later, and the interview was AWFUL. I was sure I didn't get the job, and was already trying to find a roommate or second job to be able to afford my apartment. I got a call from a friend who was higher up in the company, telling me he knew I had the job, and I told him he was wrong, no way, the interview was terrible. Not two hours later, my current boss was calling me to offer the job. She started telling me about the job, and then paused and said, "Wait, so did you accept the job?"

I started laughing and almost crying and said "YES!!" About six weeks later, I packed my things and headed out the door to Seattle.

What do you miss the most about Wisconsin?

This answer is tough! I definitely miss a lot of things. Of course I miss the beer, the Packers/Badgers/Brewers fanatics, nights out on the Terrace, Badger games, biking the roads I could ride in my sleep, some of the restaurants (Noodles & company, BW3's, the Great Dane, Brats, etc). But the thing I must say I miss the most is the family I have there. Both actual relatives and the friends who became my family over the 7 years I spent there. My grandmas both live there, and I miss being able to drive 3 hours and be at Grandma's house for the weekend. My dad's mom makes the best cookies and pies. She feeds me like crazy, and we play hours of cards and just chat and check in together. I could tell her pretty much anything and she'd still love me. Most of all, it's just a feeling of being at home. She told me she kind of thinks of me as one of her kids, even though my dad and uncle are both much older (my uncle is even a great-grandfather!). I try to talk to her often, but it's not quite the same. She's "stirred up a batch" of my favorite oatmeal raisin cookies that she's sending me soon. I'm very excited for them. :)

Whew... that's all the questions! I've delved into some of the good and some of the difficult. I hope that gives you all a little window into my lil corner of the world! :)