The ABC's of me

Since I don't have anything quilty to post today, I'll consider myself tagged by Jeanne and Siobhan. I'm sure this is more than you ever wanted to know about me.

Accent - None as far as I know. I sound pretty much the way people on TV sound, so I'm judging by that.
Booze - Wine, preferably white, and an occasional Long Island ice tea.
Chore - Dusting our 50+ feet of bookcases
Dog/cat - A totally spoiled 15 year old miniature poodle. I'm allergic to most anything else.
Essential electronics - Absolutely the computer and digital camera tied for first place, with the DVD player a close second.
Favorite perfume - Anything lavender
Gold/silver - Usually always silver, but occasionally gold - I'm a "summer" color-wise
Hometown - I grew up in Seattle, Washington - but we've lived in Vancouver WA for 32 years now
Insomnia - Yes. I find it almost impossible to turn off my mind at night.
Job title - Staff Development Manager for a large credit union. Working here has been my 12th or 13th career. It took a LONG time to figure out what I wanted to be when I grew up.
Kids - A grown son and daughter, both in their early 30's and both married. Grandchildren soon, we hope.
Living arrangements - Remodeled story-and-a-half home, originally built in 1969, in the suburbs.
Most admirable trait - I'm VERY organized - almost too much so.
Number of countries visited - Only two. Canada many times since it's within easy driving distance, but other than that only Japan. I toured Japan with my high school choir in 1964, singing as many as three concerts a day.
Overnight hospital stays - 3 as an adult. Two babies born and one surgery.
Phobias - Heights, absolutely!
Quote - "You can do anything if you believe you can do it." My mother, one of the wisest people I've ever known. She had many quotes I remember to this day, but this is the most important.
Religion - Raised Methodist, with a current belief system coming from several different religions
Siblings - An older brother and younger sister, both deceased
Time you usually wake - 5:00 am
Unusual talent - Using only a pencil and paper, I can compute the square root of any number.
Vegetable I refuse to eat - I'll try most anything, but would rather not each brussel sprouts. Love most of the "weird" vegetables.
Worst habit - I talk too loudly. I was raised before microphones were prevalent. The teacher would stand at the back of the auditorium and shout "I can't hear you" so I learned to project my voice really well. Now it's just the way I talk - I can't talk softly to save my life.
X-rays - Like Jeanne, more than I can count including lots of mammos
Yummy foods I make - Desserts, particularly double crust fruit pies and cakes, and homemade cinnamon rolls.
Zodiac - Taurus

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Gratitudes:

1. Lunch with a dear friend
2. Hot and sour soup
3. Electricity and indoor plumbing - read Pam's blog to see why
4. Comfortable sandals
5. Business casual dress at work in the summer

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