I'm 32 and after 7 years in Raleigh, NC I now live in Richmond, VA. So far, I like it.

I'm single; I date; I've come to the conclusion that talking about it here is a mistake. I have some really great friends. I also have some who are not so great. I like kids; I really like it when they go home with their parents. I own too many shoes and am constantly searching for the perfect bag.

Things I like: kayaking, camping, hiking, horses, cats, Starbucks Peppermint Mocha, wine, the ocean, travel.

Things I don't like: ketchup, men who are intimidated by smart women, grammatically incorrect song lyrics, people who spell my name wrong (one "L" people, one. Not two!) and Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte, the smell of microwave popcorn

Here are some of the people you will meet in this here blog:

2.0: Friend. She has the same name as a former friend, and is thus the new, upgraded version. Mom to Ion, who was my favorite baby. (See: Monkey)

Angeler: Friend from grad school, travel companion. Lives in Buffalo, NY. Totally loves it when you go to visit her and insist upon going to Niagara Falls.

The Boys: My two cats, Jasper and Orion.

Bud: The older of my two brothers. He is younger than both me and TRgirl, which is why when he told me, "You're not supposed to worry about me, I'm supposed to worry about you!" he could not have been more wrong.

The Cap'n: Husband of 2.0, father of the Boo. Is a bonus friend in the sense that he came with 2.0, but I consider him a friend on his own merit.

Cdub: Friend, former co-worker, and partner in crime. Cdub keeps me sane when I am losing it, makes me laugh when I need to, and used to take care of the boys when I was away. Also owns a minivan, so I keep her around for the hauling capacity.

Cool Boss: My fomer boss, who is cool.

Goose: My youngest brother. Is 18. And ready to graduate high school.

Little Matty: Former co-worker. Also cool. Was once a music major, so has been a cohort in the occasional staging of "West Side Story" at work. Also has performed Shakespeare with me.

Mom: She's my mom. Duh.

Monkey: My nephew, son of TRgirl and Randy, torturer of cats and cutest child ever!

Peg: My Great-Aunt. Lives in VA. I spend a lot of time there. Is the family member I am most likely to become.

Phoebs: My grad school roommate. Lives in NH and loves it when I send her pictures of spring in the south when she still has snow on the ground.

TRgirl: My sister. Married to Randy.

Randy: My brother-in-law. Used to be known as The BIL, but protested. Is now Randy.